Athenry Tidy Town committee launched the town’s Christmas Lights on Saturday, the 1st of December. They invited Ned Waldron, well known voluntary community activist,  to perform the launch before a huge crowd in the ancient Market Square. Damien Page, local electrician, erected the lights over the past few weeks. Athenry Medieval Town Band, under the direction of Mrs. Teresa Neylon, provided the festive music. To the delight of the children Santa arrived in a horse drawn sleigh coach.

Celia Donnelly of the tidy Town Committee welcomed the children and their parents and grandparents. Father Benny McHale blessed the tree along with all the adults present. Cllr. Gabe Cronnelly spoke of the town’s wonderful atmosphere and appearance and paid a well-deserved tribute to the members of the Tidy Town Committee for all their voluntary work during the year. Damien Page informed the people of the new additional lights bought by the Committee this year and they greatly added to the town’s festive appearance.

Ned Waldron’s speech at the launch:

Children, Ladies and Gentlemen

It’s a wonderful honour for me to be asked by Athenry Tidy Town Committee to switch on the Christmas Lights erected by Damien Page.

Athenry is a town that I love and it has a glorious festive atmosphere and appearance that will be greatly enhanced with its Christmas Lights.

You might like to know that the first Christmas Street Lights were put up in 1956 by the then Athenry Town Development Association led by Donal Kennedy, the Principal of Boys’ National School at that time. As an electrician I  helped with the work and that gives you some idea of my age. The spread of the lights was not as extensive as the present lights will be but it was a great and progressive project of its time.

I wish to pay tribute to the members of Athenry Tidy Town Committee for all their work in keeping our town neat and tidy. They are a wonderful group and deserve the highest praise.

Like them we all have a role to help make our town an attractive place for children and families. Co-operation now and in the years ahead is the key to success in achieving this worthy goal.

So without further delay let us now start the countdown from ten to switch on Athenry’s 2017 Christmas Lights…

TEN, Nine, ………………………………………………………….two, one.

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Photos by Gerry Ahern

Celia Donnelly, member of Athenry Tidy Town Committee welcomed the children and adults to the launch

                       Dancing the evening away More dancing……. And still more dancing……   The crowd awaiting the Medieval Band’s entrance to the Market Square 

The Athenry Town Medieval Band coming down Davis Street    The Band in the Medieval Square   

L-R: Cllr. Gabe Cronnelly, Celia Donnelly and special guest, Ned Waldron       

Blessing of the Tree by Fr. Benny McHale C.C. 

Ned Waldron performed the switch-on of the Lights 

And then there were LIGHTS………..   Cllr. Gabe Cronnelly    Ned Waldron and Friends  Damien Page who erected the lights    Santa arrived in a horse drawn sleigh coachSanta and Mrs. Claus received a huge welcome from the children         The Christmas Wonderland Display at Sonny Glynn’s corner    The Crib outside the Church of the AssumptionA close-up of the Crib  The Winter Wonderland Window Display in North Gate Street