Well that’s a wrap folks. How was your 2025?

With the psychology finishing line looming I, for one, am glad to stumble over it more or less in tact. I attended a funeral a couple of days ago. The man was in his mid 80’s and led a full life so not as sad as some I’ve been to this year. Egg sandwiches remind me of death now. Such days are always a reminder to be grateful, despite the inevitable adversity’s we all face, to be above ground and still in the game.

Within the Sanctuary team and immediate family members we’ve had to deal with several health issues. Whilst it’s a challenge to the operation of the day to day business we managed it. On a human level it’s very heartening to witness the responses and support of colleagues, both covering for and empathising with the individuals involved. When we are on our deathbeds, hopefully many years from now, it not going to be our bank balances we’ll be focused on, rather the experiences and love we’ve shared on our journey through life.

Maudlin as all the above is I can still give out.

Quite apart from the insanity of world events this past 12 months — slaughter in the Middle East, horrific war dragging on in Ukraine, social media propaganda and lies, plus a dangerous muppet in the White House ( there goes my holiday visa to the US), it’s been no picnic in Ireland either.

Notwithstanding a robust economy it still feels a little fragile. With post Covid working from home arrangements been squeezed traffic is now worse than ever.

On the plus side it’s still relatively easy to catch potential clients at home but these traffic delays are costing us all a lot of time, diesel and money.

As you know we are based in Naas, a great strategic location to serve greater Dublin and the rest of the country. Frankly we are happier to get a job in Waterford or Kilkenny than Rush or Donabate these days. Then there’s the winter weather. It’s been a clement enough year with few ‘rained off’ days. As I’ve observed before everyone is jealous of our ‘outdoor’ industry in summer but it’s a different story now. I watched a ‘reeling in the years’ episode featuring 1963 the other night. Ireland had snow and minus 10 degrees for 3 whole months.

Unfortunately the forecast is mild and dry for the Christmas period. I’d prefer it to be awful when we are off. I do feel bad for our crews starting and finishing in the dark. I also feel for our cash flow and seasonal pressure on any profit margins. That’s what we signed up to I guess. As a business this is the time when many financial chickens come home to roost. ‘We’ve been flat out’ does not necessarily equal success. End of year figures don’t lie. Bills have to be paid and staff have to be looked after, often leaving the poor old employee at the end of the queue. A special word of thanks to the Government (NOT), after an ungenerous budget with no increase in the tax bands, extra sick days and higher minimum wage, for running media wide ads extolling the benefit of €1500 tax free vouchers available to everyone in the audience. This creates an unwelcome expectation.

Yet no break for the SME’s. Creating work, paying Vat and PRSI and keeping the economy moving.

Told you I’d be giving out.

We’ve completed many sexy jobs this year. Hopefully you have too using good quality Sanctuary grass. At the end of the day its satisfying to look back at before/after pics and videos. The gratitude of happy customers (plus their Google reviews), seeing kids and dogs playing on their new safe soft surfaces really rocks.

God only knows what 2026 will bring. I’m confident AI will not make many in our sector redundant. Not that it can be ignored. Our Concern charity donation on your behalf is done. Now is time for family, grub and a few well earned scoops.

Happy Christmas and all the very best from myself and the Sanctuary team.