Cups runneth over in Limerick village for switching on of Tony Noonan's Christmas lights
THE LIMERICK-KERRY border is God’s country when it comes to GAA – on one side are the All-Ireland hurling champions and on the other the holders of the football crown.
The Liam MacCarthy Cup thanks to Nickie Quaid and the Sam Maguire, courtesy of Kerry’s Tadhg Morley, will be making a rare appearance together. And not forgetting the Fr Casey Cup which Iain Corbett will be bringing after the Newcastle West side he captained won the Limerick Senior Football Championship.
It all takes place at the official turning off ceremony of Tony Noonan’s Christmas Lights in Templeglantine (V94YH7W) this Sunday at 4.30pm. Limerick goalkeeper and All-Star Nickie Quaid will be flicking the switch.
“It is the first time we have had Sam and Liam together and we have Iain Corbett from Newcastle West too so we will keep it local as well. But the main thing is Santa Claus is going to be there to meet all the children,” said Tony.
The West Limerick man was the first person to light up his home and garden in a festive fashion for charity and his enthusiasm hasn’t dimmed one watt since. Tony started it all for his daughter Siobhan, who has special needs, 24 years ago.
“She loves the lights and gets great enjoyment from them,” said Tony. All he wants to do is give the same pleasure to the public every Christmas.
“I just want people to come and see them. We are after Brexit, we’re after Covid, we’re in a war and in a cost of living crisis. If they can give a donation fine, if not they are more than welcome. I just want want to give enjoyment to people. We’ve had people come from as far away as Donegal and people home from America for the holidays.”
Monies raised this year from the collection boxes will go to Milford Care Centre, Limerick Suicide Watch, CARI and Recovery Haven in Tralee.
To reduce his ESB consumption Tony has installed a diesel generator thanks to Richard Egan Electrical, Kilmallock. When the lights are running off the mains he has got sponsorship from businesses and insurance is covered.
“Everybody has been incredibly generous. It’s not Tony Noonan’s lights, it’s the people’s lights,” said Tony, who is just looking forward to getting the show on the road.
“I started putting the Christmas lights up on August 29 in the fine weather for safety reasons. You couldn’t do it now because it has been raining here for the last six weeks,” said Tony.
But rain or shine there will be a large crowd in Templeglantine this Sunday to see the Liam MacCarthy and Sam Maguire Cups and Nickie Quaid turn on Tony Noonan’s Christmas lights for the 24th year.
And then every night for weeks to come.