Market Square packed for switch-on of Christmas lights

The Market Square in the centre of Mullingar was packed on Friday evening, as is now customary, for the annual switch-on of the Christmas lights.

The event is organised by Mullingar Chamber and the Mullingar Lights Committee, and supporting it were singer Kathryn Nea, who performed on the balcony at Canton Casey’s; Midlands 103, whose outside broadcast unit was present; Brew42, who were selling hot drinks and ice-cream (!); and Apache Pizza Mullingar and Mullingar Chamber, who provided sweet treats.

The Mullingar Lights Committee (John Cochrane, Bill Collentine and Nicky Shaw) had organised the lights and crews from Lift Hire Ireland were busy in the week beforehand putting them up over the streets in the town centre.

Also present on Friday evening were Mullingar gardaí and performers from this year’s panto at Mullingar Arts Centre, The Little Mermaid. It was the star of that show, along with Santa Claus, who threw the switch to turn the lights on, and Shane Barkey was on the man on the mic who did the countdown from 10 to one.