Mullingar the place to be this Christmas
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There was a huge turnout at Market Square on Friday. Thomas GibbonsImage 2 of 15
Peader and Aodhan Boyhan from Crookedwood. Thomas GibbonsImage 3 of 15
Mary Kate, James and Rosa Davitt from Mullingar. Thomas GibbonsImage 4 of 15
James Bourke (president) and Lauren Gregory (office manager) from the Mullingar Chamber of Commerce. Thomas GibbonsImage 5 of 15
Maid Marion, The Sheriff of Nottingham and Robin Hood from The Mullingar Arts Centre Pantomime cast. Thomas GibbonsImage 6 of 15
There was a huge turnout at on Friday as Noel O’Farrell entertained the crowd on Market Square. Thomas GibbonsImage 7 of 15
Jack and Joe Boyle with Santa on Friday evening. Thomas GibbonsImage 8 of 15
Des Walsh, Nicky Shaw, John Cochrane and Cllr Bill Collentine from the Mullingar Town Enhancement Group. Thomas GibbonsImage 9 of 15
Santa pushing the button to turn on the lights. Thomas GibbonsImage 10 of 15
Eleanor, Sarah and Anne Melody from Mullingar. Thomas GibbonsImage 11 of 15
Lauren Maclean, Oran O’Callaghan, Rian O’Callaghan, and Donna Maclean with Frosty and Jack. RIGHT: Daniel Malone from Milltownpass with Douy the Doughnut. Thomas GibbonsImage 12 of 15
Jenny, Charlie, Danny, Emma , Jack and Luke Maloney on Friday. Thomas GibbonsImage 13 of 15
Ollie and Sinead Diskin at the official light switch-on event. Thomas GibbonsImage 14 of 15
Derek Carroll from Canton Caseys with Ray McCormack. Thomas GibbonsImage 15 of 15
Thomas GibbonsMullingar is the place to be this Christmas, is the message the local authority is putting out, backed by Mullingar Chamber and other organisations in the town, and, going by the evidence of turnout and atmosphere at the switch-on of the Christmas lights on Friday, they are right.
Noel O’Farrell entertained the crowd on the Market Square, and had help from a team from Midlands 103 plus a range of characters from the panto at Mullingar Arts Centre, which this year is Robin Hood. Rain had begun falling by the time the party started at 5pm, and the evening was cold, but that didn’t matter and a large crowd showed up to welcome Santa, driven in on a fire engine, and to see the official switch-on of the lights at 5.45pm.
Among the events taking place and activities on offer over the Christmas season is ice skating in Bleach Yard car park, till January 4, 2026; (book your slot online).
Christmas Markets are taking place on December 13 and 14 on Mount Street, when visitors can experience the charm of the season and find Christmas gifts for family and friends.
At Belvedere House Gardens and Park, there is a Christmas Craft Workshop on November 26 (call Belvedere on 044 933 8960) and a Christmas Craft and Food Fair on Saturday November 29; and the traditional Santa Visit is on December 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21.
Other events in the area include markets at Mullingar Congress Centre and Streete Parish Park, the Mullingar Town Band Christmas Concert at Bloomfield House Hotel, (see page 44 of this week’s paper), the Santa Express, a train trip fundraiser for the Scouts, and the Christmas Express event at Mount Druid, Castletown Geoghegan.
That’s not an exhaustive list; check the Westmeath Examiner and online for other events, including Christmas lights switch-on parties in other communities across north Westmeath.