Plans are in place for a two-day Christmas Festival in Roscommon town next month to mark the completion of the new-look Square following its €9.2 million makeover.
While no date for the completion of the Public Realm Enhancement works has yet been confirmed, it is believed that the north side of the Square will be ready to host the festival which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, December 11th and 12th.
The Christmas event is a combined venture between Roscommon County Council, Roscommon Town Team and the Chamber of Commerce and will feature food stalls, a Christmas market, and live music.
Town Team Chairperson, Larry Brennan, said the event would help to showcase the new Square.
“The Christmas Festival will take place on the north side of the Square towards the old jail (Stonecourt), which will be completed by then. It’s a combined effort between the Council, Town Team, and the Chamber and it will consist of food stalls, a Christmas market and music. The festival will run from 3 pm to 8 pm on Saturday (11th) and Sunday (12th) and there will be something for everyone,” he said.
Chamber of Commerce President, Brendan Allen, said the festival would help bring back some Christmas cheer following a year and a half of Covid-19 lockdowns.
“There will be a nice amount of activity going on across the weekend in the Square and hopefully it will help to bring some festive atmosphere into the town,” he said.
“While the switching on of the Christmas lights at the end of November marks the official start of Christmas in Roscommon town, this will be a follow-on from that and it will give people a chance to soak up some of the atmosphere.
“It will also highlight the work that has taken place in the town with works nearing completion on the new Square. It’s a chance for us to try and put the effects of the pandemic behind us as much as we can and celebrate Christmas in Roscommon town”.
Among the impressive line-up for Roscommon’s two-day Christmas Festival will be popular local acts including: Mick Hanly, Angela Gavigan, Danny Arnold, the Ukulele Collective and Singers Circle, Matt Rogers and Joe Healy, Therese Hanley and Nuala Donlon, Michael Banahan and Friends, Vincent Pierse, The Inspectors, CCG, Lady Betty, John Wynne and John Carlos, Blacksticks, and Gatehouse.
