Santa to visit Tullamore as Christmas lights turned on

Tullamore folk will get the chance to meet Santa a month before his official Christmas Day visit when he arrives this evening (Sunday) for the switching on of the town’s Christmas lights.

Locals are being urged to make their way to O’Connor Square for 5.30pm, where they can enjoy some music from Tullamore Gospel Choir while they await the arrival of the main man.

Santa will arrive by train this year according to Joe Stewart from Tullamore and District Chamber. His train is due in Tullamore at 5.30pm, when he’ll be greeted by Chamber President Ann Starling.

He will be brought from the station to O’Connor Square in a specially adapted car his helpers have been working on for some weeks accompanied by music from both Tullamore Town Band and St Colmcille’s Pipe Band.

The Christmas lights will be switched on by Tullamore’s world champion band, the St Colmcille’s Pipe Band, at 6.30pm.

Speaking to the Offaly Independent Mr Stewart said Tullamore’s main thoroughfares including High Street, William Street, Colmcille Street, Patrick Street, Harbour Street, Church Street and O’Connor Square will all be lit up for the festive period from this evening.

The festive project will cost something in the region of €20,000 to €25,000, but while he said paying that bill takes “a huge effort” on the part of local businesses, “you couldn’t contemplate not having it”.

“It creates the appropriate atmosphere,” he said, “so not having appropriate lighting is just not on the agenda at all.”

Every business in the town has been asked to help foot the bill of this year’s festive lights. Depending on support, Mr Stewart said there are plans for expanded lighting next Christmas, including the option ofa large Christmas tree and lighting in Market Square.

Councillor and businessman Declan Harvey is heading up this year’s streeting lighting committee, and he’s hoping for a huge turnout of both adults and children on Sunday. Music put on on the evening will be fully amplified, thanks to recent works by Tullamore Town Council installing additional power points in O’Connor Square.

Santa has already been in touch with Cllr Harvey, and he said the big man is looking forward to a return visit to Tullamore where he always gets a great reception from local children.

Tullamore’s O’Connor Square will also be the venue for a Christmas Market this year. The market will be held on December 13, 14 and 15 from 10am to 6pm each day, with over 40 stalls offering a range of goodies for market visitors.