Blackrock College Union SVP Conference have been selling Christmas Trees in Blackrock College, Dublin in aid of St Vincent de Paul for 28 years. We are now one of the largest X Mas tree sellers in Ireland with up to 1,000 Christmas Trees on site to choose from with trees ranging from 5 foot to 15 foot plus.

Visit the website today https://www.blackrockchristmastrees.com/ to avail of the Christmas Tree delivery, avail of our ‘click & collect’ service or visit the college to choose from the huge selection on site.

It all started with 2 students who were looking to sell trees at Christmas to raise funds for St Vincent de Paul. They approached farm owner Peter Porter of Porters Christmas Trees in Wicklow and discussed their plans but the snag was they didn’t have the money to pay up front.

The Porters were already involved with St Vincent de Paul in their own area and readily agreed to get involved and help grow the project. With the help of Mr Alan Mac Ginty, Principal of Blackrock College, his staff, 4th Year students and past students it has evolved into what it is today.

Not forgetting all the generous people who give their time to help as well as the support of local people and businesses who return to buy their Christmas Trees year after year and we hope to be around for many years to come to raise funds for this most worthwhile of charities.

Many thanks to all of you that support the project and we look forward to supplying you with a quality Christmas Tree again this year.

The Blackrock College SVP Conference members provide assistance to the poor and disadvantaged members of our community in a numbers of ways:​

They provide targeted Education Support (in consultation with the local educational professional and the local SVP Conference of St Catherine’s in West Tallaght), for third level students from the disadvantaged areas in this deprived location. This tried and tested strategy helps the students to overcome their difficult backgrounds and helps them to succeed and become a source of inspiration to other budding students in the area who are hoping to break out of the poverty trap. Currently, 11 students, mainly from under-privileged areas in West Tallaght, have been supported in their third level studies.​​

Targeted Educational Support is also provided in such areas as cognitive assessments, speech and language therapy and a supervised Leaving Cert Study Group in Killinarden Community School.

Conference members also support the SVP Visitation Programme in Killinarden on three out of four weeks per month in response to requests for help from families, many of whom are in dire need of caring help that is quietly offered with dignity. So far this year, 1,445 visits have been made to families requesting assistance in Killinarden. More specialised professional assistance is provided by the Panel of Advisors which is facilitated by Blackrock College Union members.

On an annual basis, 200 SVP Christmas hampers are prepared by the college students under the Transition Year Dean’s expert management. These hampers are delivered to families in need of help, in Killinarden, West Tallaght, by the parents and Transition Year students and Union volunteers. This provides members of the Blackrock College school community, the opportunity to see at first hand, the tough living conditions endured by the recipient families.