Mayo county town celebrates switching-on of Christmas lights

Christmas has come to the busy shopping town of Castlebar.

A large gathering assembled at Market Square in the town centre this evening for the switching-on of the lights on the Christmas tree.

The Mall, Main Street, Castle Street, Ellison Street and Spencer Street, as well as a number of other locations, are also lit up beautifully for the festive season.

The ceremony was jointly performed by Councillor Al McDonnell, cathaoirleach, Castlebar Municipal District, and Anne Conlon, president, Castlebar Chamber of Commerce.

Councillor McDonnell praised the staff and officials of Castlebar Municipal District for their work in putting the scheme in place for another festive season.

He thanked everybody for their attendance - and particularly Santa and Castlebar Concert Band, both bringing a lovely atmosphere to the occasion.

Anne Conlon encouraged members of the public to shop locally over the festive season.

She said there is so much choice for shoppers in Castlebar, which has many of the finest retail outlets, as well as fine coffee shops and restaurants, in the country.

"We are open for business and you are all invited," she added.

There is free-parking in the council's main car parks up to 12.30 p.m. every day and a number of shops have late opening hours.