*Photograph: John O’Neill
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS are to be switched on in Ennis for twelve hours per day as Clare County Council strives to cut back on its energy usage.
Barefield’s Ivanna McMahon who was crowned Miss Ireland is set to have the honour of switching on the Christmas Lights in the county town on November 25th.
Abbey St’s Christmas village is to return in the week after the lights ceremony with the drive-in retro movies also back to the Quin Rd.
Lights will be switched on from 3pm to 3am daily, Niamh O’Connor of the Ennis Municipal District informed councillors this week.
From 2pm daily there will be no charge in public car parks in the period November 25th to January 2nd, normal payment operations continue for on-street parking with additional parking to be provided at Clare County Council’s headquarters on the New Rd and also the Town Council offices at Drumbiggle. Existing pedestrianisation measures will run from 11:30am to 4:30pm during this window.
Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) said the local authority was reducing its use of energy from Christmas lights by fifty percent. The provision of free parking was “important as we’re giving back to customers”. He said the Council had spent a “significant sum of money in making very safe pedestrian access” from their offices which will open up an additional 300 to 400 car parking spaces and he encouraged workers in the town to be courteous to visitors.
“I know everyone is conscious of energy and the cost of electricity but the Christmas season is one that people look forward to,” Cllr Ann Norton (IND) commented. She believed it was important the Council made an effort on energy saving. “It is a time that people come into town and see the festive side of things. This year, there will be a lot of families that won’t be able to afford to go to Santy,” she flagged.
Deputy Mayor of the Ennis MD, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) reminded Cllr Norton, “we’re doing our best to be on the nice list not the naughty list”.
