Bright lights of Laois town get council boost for Christmas

Main Street in Rathdowney is aglow brighter than ever this Christmas with the installation of bright new Christmas lighting.

The town has long had Christmas streetlights, thanks to a dedicated small team of volunteers, but now with new support from Laois County Council, the festive seaso n is even brighter.

Mary Hennessy is the long term driving force, helping to proudly light up her town for the past 20 years.

“I got involved in 2003 and For the past 18 years I have organised the fundraising.

“Our local electrician David Campion did all the maintenance and put up the lights, all at no charge.

“More recently we were joined on the Christmas lights committee by Trevor Keeshan, Justin Kavanagh and Mark McCormack and my daughter Emma Doran.

Rathdowney Christmas Lights committee members: Emma Doran, Mary Hennessy and Justin Kavanagh. Photo: Leinster Express

“We are delighted that the council got Killary Lighting to do some work for this year. They replaced the tree bulbs with LED bulbs.

“What keeps it all going is the local support from all the businesses and many residents. People are fantastic in Rathdowney and outside the town too, they stop you in the street and hand money to you.

“Next year we hope to extend the lights further to the library and around by SuperValu towards the square,” she explained.

The town has a lovely Christmas tree too, while the trees around the square are bedecked in more glowing lights.

“It brings a bit of joy around the place,” Mary said.

Emma her daughter is also a member of the new Rathdowney Town Team, and a local fire fighter to boot.

She hopes that with the new Town Centre First Plan launched last week, grant money will flow in to develop Rathdowney further.

“Community is everything in the town. Grants will be a great help for the Christmas lights and for the town.

“When the lights come down, the town will feel empty with so many vacant buildings. But with this new push we can restore pride and life.

Swimming and kayaking in Laois town pond proposed by consultants

“It should make it more attractive for businesses to come back into town and for people to shop locally,” she said.

Speaking at the launch of the plan, Director of Services Donal Brennan complimented the lights.

“The streetlights look lovely, they really light up the town,” he said.

The second of two Christmas Markets in Rathdowney will take place this coming Sunday, December 17 in the square. It is organised by Cassia in Laois Partnership and runs from 2pm to 5pm, with Santa Claus paying a special visit.