Community drive needed to keep Christmas lights on in Mayo town

THE community in Westport will have to pull together to keep the lights on this Christmas.

The Chamber of Commerce stepped up this year to pull together a scheme that attracted global interest, but with a hefty price tag and a labour intensive effort, the community needs to come forward for future Christmases.

The county council is no longer involved in the Christmas lighting, as was the case back in the town council days, though councillors have given support through their GMA funding, pledging €18,000 in 2025.

And while businesses supported them this year with funding, feedback did query what they are getting back for paying their rates.

Westport Chamber of Commerce representatives Dermott Langan and Geraldine Horkan gave a presentation on the town Christmas lights at the monthly municipal district meeting.

The Chamber agreed in 2024 to share responsibility for transitioning the lighting from the council, as they were too important to lose, Mr. Langan explained.

The festive lights benefit the whole area, he said, and when Westport thrives the wider county benefits, as people visit, stay, and explore. Last Christmas the town looked 'magical', and social media content showcasing Westport reached nearly one million people.

The lights bring joy to children and elderly alike, he said, and welcome people home when they visit.

However, the chamber cannot continue to manage and fund the programme under the current model, Mr. Langan told councillors.

Planning began last July. Quotations were sought from seven electrical contractors, with just one reply. Fundraising initiatives didn't gain any traction.

They contacted about 100 busineses. Some were extremely generous, while others were supportive but unable to contribute. There were queries, too, about how the council always looked after the lights and money was ringfenced for this, while others wondered where their rates are going.

In total they were pledged €50,000, including the councillors' contribution, but they cannot go back to the same businesses year after year to carry the load.

The cost of installation in recent years has ranged from €40,000 to €70,000, requiring certified electricians, ongoing maintenance and replacement of stock, dismantling and storage, hire of cherry pickers, and it's all weather dependent. It's professional infrastructure and it has to be done safely.

There are two options, said Mr. Langan. Firstly, that local government ringfences commercial rates for all towns and villages to fund festive lights, or that communities establish an independent committee to manage and fund their own programme.

Under the current model they can't rely on one voluntary business organisation to raise thousands of euro every year, he said.

Last July they did not know if they would have enough money to put up any lights. “There was zero in the pot,” said Ms. Horkan. Councillors came forward and committed and then they could approach businesses, but they cannot continue to do this as the Chamber.

And it's not just about the businesses, but a whole community of people for whom it is really important, Ms. Horkan said, and they need support and ideas and a community push to move forward.

Confirmation was given to the meeting that the council executive don't have a dedicated budget for Christmas lights.

Cathaoirleach Councillor Peter Flynn said the message is that they need the community to come forward. They need to find out from a community perspective how to make it happen next December, or if they are going to switch the lights off.

He was agreeable to chairing a public meeting on it.

* Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme