Very little Christmas cheers for Ballina lights from north Mayo councillor

The amount of money spent on Christmas lights in Ballina was questioned by a north Mayo councillor who suggested that other towns in the region would also like some festive lighting.

Christmas may still be two months away but the turning on of the Christmas lights in Ballina is only a few weeks away with Santa Claus expected to arrive by the banks of the Moy for the official switch on on November 22.

The monthly meeting of the Ballina Municipal District heard that a lighting specialist company has already been appointed to put up the Christmas lights with lighting of three sites to include the post office, civic offices and a bridge over the Moy.

Head of the Ballina Municipal District, Anna Connors explained that funding was made available under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme with the work expected to commence at the end of October.

However, Crossmolina-based Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Loftus said he had to laugh at the amount of funding given for Christmas lights for Ballina over the years and felt that 'everything revolves around Ballina’.

“It's not the only place in the area,” he told Wednesday's monthly meeting in Ballina.

“You know the amount of money that has been given to Ballina for Christmas lights is unbelievable and share the pain boys. There's other areas too that need funding and we'd all like to have lights in our areas.

“For the last number of years, I've heard nothing but Ballina lights and the amount of money that has actually been given towards it. We all love to see the lights up in Ballina and we all love to say that they look so well. But let's be honest when the GMA comes out next time, I don't want to see Ballina looking for more money with the amount of the money that they've got over the last three years,” he said.

His contribution to the meeting was interrupted by party colleague and Cathaoirleach of the Ballina Municipal District, Cllr Annie May Reape who reminded Cllr Loftus that Ballina is 'the capital of Mayo'.

“It may be the capital Annie Rae but there's other areas in the county in this municipal district that warrants a bit of funding as well,” he added.

The switch on of the lights in 2025 featured popular Ballina musician and content creator Garron Noone and generated huge excitement and the Ballina Christmas Festival Committee is promising something very memorable and somewhat different this year as it looks to build on that momentum.

The switch on event will run from approximately 3pm into the early evening with a full programme of entertainment and activities to be announced.

Earlier this year, €300,000 was allocated to Ballina to develop the town’s lighting infrastructure which will be used for Christmas and other special occasions.

In response to Cllr Loftus' comments, Ms Connors said that there was an opportunity for any town who wanted to improve their Christmas lights to put in an expression of interest for funding from the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.