Westmeath home among finalists in Energia Ireland's Most Christmassy Homes 2017

The Farrell family home in Bonavalley, Athlone is among the top 20 finalists in Energia’s Ireland’s Most Christmassy Home 2017 competition. 

The national competition to find the best decorated home in Ireland at Christmas time has just entered its final week. 

Since the competition officially started on Friday December 1, entries have been received from across Ireland. 

Householders had until midnight on Sunday (December 10) to send in photos of their homes in all its festive glory. 

From all the entries, Energia has chosen the top 20 based on decoration design, use of space, festive spirit and wow factor. 

The public are now being asked to choose Ireland’s Most Christmassy Home 2017 by casting their vote on Energia’s Facebook page before 10am on Friday December 15. Energia will then declare the winner. 

The Top 20 Christmassy homes to choose from are:

• Ger Doyle, Bagenalstown, County Carlow

• Shane Byrne, Lucan, County Dublin

• Paddy Toner, Lucan, County Dublin

• Sean White, Palmerstown, Dublin 20

• May Gibsey, Tuam, Galway

• Pat Farrell, Ballyragget, County Kilkenny

• Ned O’Toole, Kilkenny

• Kevin, Lorraine & Caoimhe Lynch, Ballyagran, County Limerick

• Tony Noonan, Templeglantine, County Limerick

• Bernie Carroll, Bruree, County Limerick

• Michael Giblin, Drogheda, County Louth

• Lisa Malone, Kilmaine, County Mayo

• Madeline Cummins, Killala, County Mayo

• Amanda Mulvaney, Ratoath, County Meath

• Ivan Tolan, Bettystown, County Meath

• Mikey Butler, Emly, County Tipperary

• Alyson Power, Cloneen, County Tipperary

• Poppy Farrell, Bonavalley, County Westmeath

• Tony Fitzpatrick, Drinagh, County Wexford

• Anthony Doyle, Arklow, County Wicklow

This year’s prizes are donations of €3,000, €2,000 and €1,000 respectively to the charities of choice of the first, second and third placed houses following the public vote. F

Based on the entries so far, the top Christmas lighting trends for 2017 are:

1. Santa v Snowmen – these classic Christmas characters are battling it out for the title of most popular outdoor decoration in Ireland. While Santa has driven into a lead, it will be “snow” problem for Frosty and co to catch up by the weekend. 

2. Bling is back – the good times are most definitely back for outdoor Christmas lights displays. This year we’re seeing bigger and brighter displays at homes around Ireland. Thankfully, if householders use LED lights and Energia’s 100% green electricity, your Christmas lights can be energy efficient and have a reduced carbon footprint. 

3. Edging lights for roof, windows and doors – a particular trend we’re seeing this year is lights on the roofs, windows and doors of houses that are being decorated. We’re seeing a wide variety of styles including solar-powered rope lights, solar-powered string lights and curtain-effect lights. 

4. Nativity scenes are re-born – more and more Irish homes are featuring nativity scenes in their outdoor Christmas light displays. We’re seeing a wide mix of lights and inflatable cribs and characters so far in 2017.