Tullamore Christmas Lights committee hopeful of hitting target

The Tullamore Christmas Lights committee is” very hopeful” of reaching their ambitious target of €35,000 to ensure that the town is lit up in true festive style this year.

“I reckon we will reach our target” said a confident Committee vice-chairman, Noel McCann, who added that they have been receiving “huge support right across the board” since a call went out last week for local businesses and individuals to get behind the campaign to light up the town for Christmas.

Following on from a very poorly attended meeting two weeks ago, the committee decided to put out a last-ditch call for support, and Noel McCann says they have been “inundated” with offers from the local community since then.

As well as receiving donations towards the lights from many local businesses, the committee also decided to set up a GoFundMe page called Light Up Tullamore which has already attracted over €4,000 in donations.

“It’s all hands-on deck at this stage,” he says “and we would be hoping to be able to have an official switching on of the lights this year as well for the first time since Covid.” In previous years, this event attracted “over 9,000 people” into Tullamore town centre, according to Noel McCann, who says it is “a very important part of the run-up to Christmas, particularly for local traders.”

It is planned to move the switching on of the Christmas lights to the last week of November in an effort to increase footfall in the centre of the town in the run-up to the festive season.

“We are also hoping to be able to go ahead with the Tullamore Christmas Market which is a great attraction,” adds Noel McCann “so it’s onwards and upwards”.

The Christmas Lights Committee, all of whom work in a voluntary capacity, is chaired by John Leavy from Leavy’s Centra on Henry Street who is joined by Noel McCann (vice-chair); Ann Starling (treasurer); Mary Hensey; Gerry Gannon; Cllr Declan Harvey; Mick Waters; John Cusack; Brian Daly; Lisa Bracken; Frankie O’Reilly; Karen Flanagan and Paudge Larkin.

Donations for the Tullamore Christmas Lights can either be made to the GoFundMe page or by contacting any individual member of the committee.

Independent Cllr Sean O'Brien has welcomed the news that the Christmas lights will be turned on in Tullamore this year.

"I am delighted that the Christmas lights will definitely be lighting up Tullamore this year. This is very important for Tullamore. It is a time for celebration of the Christmas message of the birth of Baby Jesus and it is a time when families unite with many home from around Ireland and from abroad."

"Lighting up the town creates a festive atmosphere and the lights have become a major event over the years. The months of November and December are very important for local businesses and there is no doubt but that the atmosphere created in Tullamore is a major factor in keeping business local and attracting shoppers from other areas to shop in Tullamore. Well done to the Lights Committee and a big thank you to the many local businesses who have already given generous donations and many who have pledged support.

"I will assist the vommittee in every way possible to ensure that Tullamore looks it's best this Christmas. It is so important that people shop local and celebrate locally," concludes Cllr O' Brien.