Father Flanagan House Open for "Irish Christmas"
Join Boys Town for Irish Christmas at the Father Flanagan House December 7 - 13. Call 800-625-1400 or 402-498-1141 to book your tour today!
Father Flanagan often stated that Christmas was one of the most important events at Boys Town each year and still today, Boys Town carries on those Irish Christmas traditions Father Flanagan shared with the boys. In remembrance of those traditions, Boys Town will be offering tours of the Father Flanagan House during the annual Irish Christmas, December 7-13 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Red candles are placed in each window and are lit on Christmas Eve to welcome the Holy Family, the kitchen table is set for three special guests, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, as they travel to the Holy Land, and a bowl of water is placed in the windowsill to be blessed by the Holy Family as they pass by on Christmas Eve. Even with all of these beautiful decorations, the focus remains on the Nativity Scene in the Father Flanagan Mediation Chapel in honor of this Irish custom. The recently renovated west wing of the House will feature Christmas quilts created by members of the Omaha Quilters Guild and the Boys Town Christmas Seals are on display in the gallery, along with holiday decorations created by Boys Town students in the 1950s.
“The Father Flanagan House Irish Christmas celebration features a time when the Christmas season was based upon faith and family,” said Tom Lynch, Boys Town Hall of History Director. “Father Flanagan made sure these traditional Irish values were the basis for Boys Town Christmases.”
“I remember our first Christmas dinner consisted mostly of a barrel of sauerkraut that somebody had given us. I recollect going around a few days before Christmas time asking for a few dollars from friends so that those boys in our Home would have something to eat and decent cloths to wear on Christmas Day, and just a few little toys with which to play.”
Take the opportunity to visit the beautifully renovated Father Flanagan House and enjoy the Irish Christmas decorations! Admission is free and Irish cookies and hot cocoa are an option for groups of 20 or more with reservations. Call 800-625-1400 or 402-498-1141 to book your tour today!