Mayo minister's commitment to Christmas lights in his home town

Minister of State Dara Calleary has confirmed he personally purchased and arranged a team of volunteers to install the beautiful Christmas lights on Cathedral Road in Ballina last year - and is doing so again this festive season.

He outlined: "This year as we light up Ballina for Christmas 2022, I am delighted to again provide for these lights plus phase two of our plan to expand the lights in our wonderful town, this time with the addition of lighting on Barrett Street in time to welcome patrons attending the All-Ireland Ballina One Act Drama Festival and on Bridge Street, being erected in time for the switching-on ceremony at 4.15 p.m. today.

"I want to thank my group of volunteers - Brian, John, Jonathan, Kevin, Nipper, Damien - and members of Ballina Fianna Fáil for their time, expertise and commitment to the plan.

"I also compliment and thank the efforts of all the volunteers involved in the erection of Ballina’s lights this year - the town looks fantastic!

"Without this collaboration of local voluntary groups there would have been no lights at all - the efforts made by all epitomises all that is great about Ballina. Long may this generosity of spirit continue to thrive in our community

"I am fully supportive of the Christmas lights programme of expansion into 2023 and I am calling on the local authority to step up to the mark early in the new year to ensure that a thorough plan, costed and tendered, is in place as we celebrate Ballina 2023.

"This year please continue to support local by shopping local, eating local and socialising local as every euro spent locally will remain local."