Published: Wednesday, 26th November, 2008 12:00pm

Wise Men, camels and Cootehill drumlins!

Then as we strolled inside the former turkey house, now transformed into an animal sanctuary, there was Santa Claus with all his little helpers packing the presents for delivery on Christmas night.

Dernakesh is just a couple of miles from Cootehill, along the Bailieboro road in the parish of Maudabawn. I never thought I would see camels eating large bales of hay in the Drumlins of Cavan.

Pet farm owner Carmel Shalvey said they will be staging an amazing re-enactment of the Nativity, complete with all the animals, including camels on the evenings of December 14 and 15 and also on 20 and 21. Tickets are on sale in Cavan town at Eason and Argue"s Londis, the Joke Shop and Muldoon"s, and in Cootehill.

Carmel says the first weekend is sold out and booking is going strongly for the second.

The show will feature a beautiful web of story and song and of course Mary and Joseph will be arriving on a donkey, encountering the innkeeper along the way.

The live singing is also something special to behold and listening to the rehearsals, I can assure readers that this element of the show will also steal your heart away.

It really brings the spirit of Christmas to the stage with an energy that has an inherent magic.

Carmel says parents and children will be delighted at how the re-enactment will catch the imagination of everyone. It is special for the children to see all the animals live and to witness the Wise Men and Mary and Joseph arriving.

It is startling to learn that 14 members of the Moore family, eight brothers and six sisters, plus all their children make up the cast for this unique creation. Carmel is married to Gabriel Shalvey and they are thrilled to be in a position to show their artistic creativity and love of animals. There are 58 nieces and nephews and they all have their various tasks and role in the show.

The costumes are all created with real genius by Annie Farrelly and all the diverse animals from all over the world were imported by Finbar Moore.

Annie told the Anglo-Celt explained how she made all the amazing costumes. Her creation and effects for the snow queen are magical. Many items are recycled and are transformed into superb features that create a wonderful atmosphere.

Mandy (Moore) Crowe did a lot of flower arranging and was the leader when it came to putting the grotto in place. 'We all brainstorm our ideas and work as a family - the teamwork is the secret.'

Some 250 people will be packing in each night over two weekends to see the live spectacular on a monster, crib-like stage.

Children can see Santa Claus in every shop window in most towns but they will not see camels and wise men. That"s makes this unique Christmas spectacular so special.

The crowd will be able to take pictures afterwards while the children are waiting for Santa Claus to arrive with his group of elves.

Carmel said they had just received planning permission for their new pet farm, coffee shop and gift shop. It will effectively be a visitor centre with a playground.

Animals have been procured from the four corners of the globe and the new pet farm is set on a four-acre site, which makes innovative use of two former turkey houses.

The camel takes pride of place on the farm and there are also lamas, emus, racoons, monkeys, deer, sheep and donkeys. They hope to attract school children from all over Cavan and surrounding areas.

John Moore has once again showed his skill by painting animals and birds on the ceiling of the complex and Carmel"s nephew Jonathan Farrelly is taking after his uncle, when it comes to amazing artwork.

You will travel many a mile in this country to experience the unified imagination and artistic creativity of the Moore family. In a time of downturn in the economy and the commercialisation of Christmas, it is uplifting to experience people returning to the simplicity of life and the real meaning of the season.

Contact Carmel Shalvey on 087-4184871 for information on tickets and the pet farm.