Santa to make appearance for turning on of Christmas lights in Mayo town

The Christmas lights will be turned on in Westport on December 4 with Santa Claus taking time from his busy schedule to visit the west Mayo town.

The festive lights on the town's Christmas tree as well as the lights around the town will be switched on on Thursday, December 4 with Santa Claus also making an appearance to greet children in the town hall.

Christmas in Westport was discussed at the November meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District where it was proposed by Cllr Peter Flynn that free car parking will also be introduced on December 4 for the remainder of the festive period.

There had been fears that there would be no Christmas lights this year due to a funding shortfall.

Cllr Flynn praised the Westport Chamber of Commerce and the local businesses for stepping up to ensure the town will be lit. The Cathaoirleach of the municipal district commented that without their input it would be a dark Christmas in Westport.

“It is important we send a message out to our locals and visitors that we want to see people coming to our town and enjoying the festivities,” he said.

“I want to particularly pay tribute to the work the Chamber of Commerce have put in in organising the Christmas lights. I know it has been very difficult in terms of getting finance and I want to say thank you to the business community who have supported the installation of lights and the Christmas tree this year.

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“Without the work of the Chamber of Commerce we would have a very dark Christmas in Westport and thank you to all of them,” he concluded.

His proposal for free parking until January 5 was seconded by Cllr John O'Malley and agreed by the management of the municipal district.