Cork mum-of-15 hosts Ireland’s biggest Christmas dinner for 121 relatives

[Dracony]

A HUGE family of 121 chowed down on Ireland’s biggest Christmas dinner today.

Cork mum-of-15 Ellen Buckley helped serve up ham, turkey, beef and spiced beef for her children, 65 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.

And Ellen — who has five girls and ten boys — told the Irish Sun how she loves everyone getting together for the mega festive bash.

She said: “Obviously not everyone can sit around the kitchen table, but they come, grab a plate and help themselves to the food.

“The day is alcohol-free and we have gallons of soft drinks as well as teas and coffees.

“We have sherry trifle without the sherry, flans, pudding and ice-cream for dessert.

“There is never an argument and everyone just loves spending this time together and catching up on family news.”

And Ellen revealed she expects to have even more family at another bash on January 6 for her 88th birthday as a few relatives are expecting babies.

Widow Ellen lost a son and a daughter over the years but loves Christmas time when all her remaining children, their kids and even their children’s children gather with their partners at Rose Cottage, on the outskirts of Cork city, from around noon.

Super great-gran Ellen — who is affectionately called Nan Gigi or Nana Buckley — sits back on her favourite chair in the kitchen as her relations pack into the living room, the kitchen and the outer kitchen in the family home.

As Ellen suffered a stroke a few years ago, most of the cooking for the mammoth meal is now done by her son Eddie, who lives with her and cares for her.

He explained: “I have everything bought and prepared and spend Christmas Eve cooking so everything is ready to go when the family members arrive.

“It is a great day. We are very fortunate that everyone gets on so well and there has never been a falling out among any of the children.

“Mam sits in her chair and directs operations when I am cooking. She taught us all how to cook so that comes in handy now.

“She did it for so many years and I am happy to be able to do it for her. Everyone enjoys the food and when they all leave mam and I sit down and have our Christmas dinner.

“It’s a family tradition now and one that we all love and enjoy.”

Ellen’s family knows the presents she loves best — lottery scratch cards, making sure she ends up with a variety to take a coin to each Christmas. And in turn, the 87-year-old gives every family a box of chocolates.

But when their massive Christmas Day ends, Ellen and Eddie start all over again for the next big family occasion.

That takes place next Sunday when the family gather for her late husband Timothy’s anniversary mass, before heading back to Rose Cottage for yet another huge family dinner.