Mayo and Galway coffee shops will open on Christmas Day to welcome anyone in need of ‘warmth, comfort, or company’
A Mayo business is spreading holiday cheer and showing the true spirit of kindness this Christmas.
Mocha Beans Ballina has announced it will open its doors on Christmas Day to welcome anyone in need of warmth, comfort, or company.
From 11am to 1pm on December 25, the coffee shop on Pearse Street in the town centre will offer free hot water bottles, blankets, sandwiches, soup, and tea or coffee.
At their other Mayo location along the Foxford Road, sandwiches, soup, blankets, and hot water bottles will also be available outside for anyone in need.
Kenneth, Jarlath, and Trevor Mangan, owners of Mocha Beans Ballina, made the announcement via social media.
The brothers also confirmed that the act of kindness will spread to other Mocha Bean locations in Galway.
The store in Claregalway will be open on Christmas Day from 1pm to 3pm, while the Drive-Thru in Kilcolgan will offer free soup, sandwiches, hot water bottles, blankets, and other essentials to those in need.
The Mangan brothers made it clear that everyone is welcome to the stores on Christmas, “whether elderly, alone, or homeless in our community,” with “no questions asked”.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Kenneth, Jarlath, and Trevor Mangan explained their motivation:
“It’s our little way of giving back and making sure no one feels left out this holiday. Christmas can be a very difficult time for some, and no one should be alone. We hope to see you there and spread a bit of warmth and cheer.”
This is not the first year Mocha Beans has opened on Christmas Day. The tradition at the Pearse Street location began in 2008, when the store opened its doors to those who would otherwise spend the holiday alone.
Last year, in Claregalway, the decision to open the store on Christmas Day inspired a ripple effect of kindness, as stand-up comedian and TV personality Martin Ward was so moved by the sense of community spirit that he paid for 10 coffees for 10 random people.
The Mangan brothers opened their first store in Ballina in 2006, and have since expanded to six outlets and two mobile units across Ireland.
They have been actively involved in helping the community and were recognised at the 2025 Mayo People of the Year Awards were they received the Business Liaison Award.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.