Bumper Christmas programme unveiled

IS IT safe to mention the ‘C’ word? With lists to make and check twice, members of Carlow Municipal District gave it the all-clear and so Carlow’s Christmas programme for 2024 was outlined at their recent meeting.

Kieran Comerford of LEO stated that each municipal district in the county will have their own programme for the festive season alongside a shop local programme and a number of events. Mr Comerford said it is the intention of all involved in the programme, including a number of sections within the local authority, statutory bodies and local groups, to extend the programme this year, beginning from 1 November to the second week in December.

Signage, an events programme, Santa boxes in each municipal district, online competitions, a family day in association with Beat FM and Lightfest in Carlow town and Tullow along with a carnival in Bagenalstown will all be included.

Lightfest Carlow will take place at Carlow Town Hall on Saturday 23 November from 4pm to 6.30pm, with live music by Ally Sherlock and concluding with a fireworks display. This will be a free ticketed event, with upwards of 5,000 people expected to attend.

A Christmas craft fair, a Christmas programme at Carlow Library and an illuminated Christmas Circus running on 30 November and 7 December in the town centre from 3pm to 4pm are also among the events to look forward to.

Mr Comerford issued an open call to any individual, group or business that would like to get involved in the Christmas programme to contact the council.

Cllr John Cassin welcomed the report, adding that he had been one of the people advocating for a longer run-in to the Christmas season for businesses. Cllr Adrienne Wallace raised the issue of locating Lightfest alongside an area in Carlow Town Park, where there is a lot of wildlife.

“Is there another location we could have it because it’s so close to wildlife and the residents there at Haymarket?” she asked.

Cllr Fintan Phelan said it was exciting to see the improvements to the Christmas lighting last year at Deighton Hall and Carlow Town Hall and asked that a few more projections be added this year. Cllr Ken Murnane welcomed the lighting at Graiguecullen bridge and asked if “a few more bulbs could be found for Maryborough Street”.

Mr Comerford stated that the council was conscious of wildlife, but it would present a challenge “no matter where we set up”. He added that finding a suitable location that can accommodate 5,000 people was difficult.