Áine RyanHO! HO! HO! Christmas has come early to heritage town Westport.
The night may not have been starlit but last week Santa’s Little Helpers were spied by The Mayo News leading hordes of people into a veritable grotto of delightful delicacies and quality crafts ahead of the inaugural seasonal Shop ‘n Spraoi Fair.
Representing Santa Claus at last week’s launch in the Clew Bay Hotel was the town’s very own elder, Mr Sean Staunton.
“The traditional Christmas market will showcase and highlight all that is good about locally-produced food and crafts and, as with many projects in the Westport area, it is the end result of a high level of cooperation and partnership between the voluntary and statutory sectors,” he said.
Mr Staunton revealed to the large crowd that along with the festive food and craft market, a plethora of events will include White Christmas (Sneachata na Nollag), Live Nativity (An Stábla Beo), Christmas Cracker (Tóraíocht na Nollag), River Dance (Uisce Draíochtiúl), Trad on the Mall (Comhltas Ceoltóirí) Christmas Stories (Scéalta na Nollag), Sean Nós Dancing, The Wren Boys (Na Cleamairí) and Christmas Carols ( Carúil na Nollag).
And, of course, one of the highlights of the three-day Spraoi will be the arrival of Daida na Nollag (Santa Claus) at 4.30pm on Saturday afternoon, December 12.
Officially launching the fair, Cllr Myles Staunton, Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council (pictured) remarked on the festive feeling already engendered by the event.
Praising the organisers, Cllr Staunton said: “Westport is the ideal town for such an event, particularly with the beauty of the Mall. Shop ‘n Spraoi has such potential and could happen every Christmas.”
“The hallmark of Westport’s success over the years is the ability of different groups and organisations to work together. I have no doubt we will have a fantastic spin-off from this and that the many visitors will be impressed,” he continued.
Echoing Cllr Staunton’s sentiments about the ethos of volunteerism, Danny McLoughlin, President of the town’s Chamber of Commerce, observed that ‘this cross-community initiative had struck a chord’.
He cited the many different groups involved in the initiative, which has been the subject of planning since July last.
“We want to get rid of the plasticky Christmas and get back to the authentic, traditional Christmas. We urge business people throughout the town to embrace this theme,” Mr McLoughln said.
In a pithy conclusion to formalities, Sean Staunton said: “We live in difficult times and we have the option of cursing the darkness or lighting a candle. Tonight we are witnessing the launch of a lighted candle and we hope local people will give it the support it so richly deserves.”
Westport's Shop ’n’ Spraoi
Margadh Mór Mhaigh Eo will be held from the 11ú to the 13ú Nollaig.
Along with the organising and advisory committees, groups involved include Westport Town Council, Mayo County Council, Gnó Mhaigheo, South West Mayo Development Company, Fás, local schools and the retail sector. Volunteers are needed for the event.
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