Christmas lights switched on in Tipperary Town by Louise Morrissey

The very cold weather didn’t prevent a bumper crowd from turning out to see country music star, Louise Morrissey, switch on the Christmas lights in Tipperary Town on Saturday evening, December 10.

There was a great Christmas atmosphere in the town as people of all ages waited for the arrival of the Santa Express and enjoyed the Christmas music provided by DJ Francis.

Shortly after 5:45pm the garda sirens heralded the arrival of the North Pole’s most famous resident along with his many helpers.

Santa stood up in his sleigh to acknowledge the carol singers and there were waves and cheers from all for the man in the red suit as he made his way towards the Market Yard.

As the Santa Express turned in between the Banks the excitement was at fever pitch. Along with Santa and Mrs Claus, was Louise Morrissey and a host of characters including Frosty the Snowman.

Age made no difference as people converged to get a glimpse of Santa and his friends.

Santa and Louise were welcomed onto the stage by Eamonn Ryan, Chair of the Christmas Lights Committee and with a countdown from the MC Stevie O’Donnell, Louise hit the switch and the Christmas lights came on in Tipp Town to huge applause from the crowd.

Louise as we know is a native of Bansha, just a few minutes from Tipp Town.

Speaking at the switch-on Louise said that it was a great honour to be invited to switch on the lights.

“Tipperary is my home town. I went to school here, I shop here and I present a radio programme on the local radio station (Tipp Mid West Radio) which is based in the Community Centre. Tipperary is a great town and I hope that people will support all the local businesses this Christmas. I want to wish you all a very happy Christmas,” Louise said.

Eamonn Ryan, who is proprietor of the local Porter House Pub, paid tribute to all who supported the fundraising appeal and he presented Louise with a bouquet of flowers as a gesture of thanks for her support.

Eamonn thanked the public for turning out in such huge numbers for the occasion and he paid special tribute to the Tipperary Vintage Rally team who provided the escort for Santa Claus and who have been supportive of so many different causes and in particular the South Tipperary Hospice Movement.

Thanks were also extended to the helpers and stewards and to the members of An Garda Síochána for ensuring that the event went off without a hitch and to Cathal Hayes of Cleanline for the use of the vehicle for the stage and DJ Francis for the sound and the music.

After the formalities had ended Santa made sure to meet every child to have photographs taken and to check what was on their Christmas list.

The Tipperary Vintage Rally deserve enormous credit for their work in preparing Santa’s sleigh and for spreading the spirit of Christmas throughout the town.

It was a fantastic spectacle to see the Santa Express going through the town and to see the wonderful colours of the Christmas lights.

It was just the boost that the town needed so well done to Eamonn Ryan and the Christmas Lights committee for making it possible and to the businesses, the local authority and the people of the town who provided the necessary finance.

So please support your local business and shop local, and have a very happy Christmas.