Cllr Bill Collentine, Santa, Nicky Shaw and John Cochrane on Tuesday evening at the switch-on of the Christmas lights in Mullingar.

Mullingar lights up for Christmas

Cllr Bill Collentine, the mayor of Mullingar, expressed his thanks to the team who planned and carried out the work on the Christmas lights this year.

Speaking at the official switch-on yesterday evening, Cllr Collentine said the town looks wonderful and he singled out the Mullingar Enhancement Group for praise.

“It’s a wonderful achievement to see Mullingar lit up so well, especially during this Covid time, when people need a bit of guidance and a bit of a lift.

“It will be very successful - Mullingar, we should be proud of it!”

The mayor also made an appeal to everyone to shop local. “Keep the business in Mullingar, keep the shops going, keep the businesses going, we need every bit of spending power we can kept in Mullingar.”

Speaking on behalf of the Mullingar Enhancement Group, John Cochrane said it was a privilege to be part of a team that had “brought full lights to Mullingar for the first time”.

“Nine streets in Mullingar have lights including two fantastic Christmas trees, one here in Dominick Square and one in Market Square.

“And a very big special thank-you this year to Santy, and the special guest here, Lucy Thompson, who turned on the lights for us.”

John extended an invite to the people of Mullingar, and the whole area, to come into the town to see the display of lights, and to shop local.

“It’s important to support the local people and the local businesses.”

He concluded with a thank-you to the businesses and industries on the edge of Mullingar that who provided financial support for the lights and “to make this the success it is”.

“2020 is almost over, let’s look forward to 2021 and Mullingar flying with all the fantastic shops and businesses we have. Happy Christmas and happy new year!”

Carla McManus, Lucy Thompson and Kris Thompson turning on the lights. Photo by Thomas Gibbons
Aoibheann, Fionnuala and Oisin Kenny from The Downs. Photo by Thomas Gibbons
Jason Kananagh. Lisa Kavanagh, Patsy Nevin and Bonnie Nevin at Dominick Square. Photo by Thomas Gibbons
Andre and Veronika Gaj from Mullingar. Photo by Thomas Gibbons