Large crowd gathers for the switch on of Christmas lights in Birr

Members of the Birr Tidy Towns committee pictured with Jeca the Clown, Mr Snowman, the elves, Grinch and Jared Madden, who was MC for the switching on of the Birr Christmas lights.

A large and enthusiastic crowd gathered in Emmet Square to see Santa Claus officially turn on the lights.

During the afternoon there were loads of activities on Green Street, with the Santa train, a magician's show, snow machine, Santa in his grotto and other stalls, while there was also a very successful Christmas market at the back of The Chestnut.

The Grinch tried to spoil the fun before the switch on of the lights but Santa Claus arrived to save the day and get the Grinch to promise to be good.

Santa then switched on the lights to loud acclaim and the Christmas season kicked off in earnest in Birr.