The Roscommon Christmas Lights Committee would like to send a very special thanks to all the volunteers who helped in the 2022 campaign. Their support is much appreciated. It is only when people are involved behind the scenes that they see how much effort it takes to create a Christmas atmosphere in our town.
Each year the work of preparing the lights starts in September and continues right up to the middle of January. The committee could not do it without assistance from many different quarters.
Willing volunteers turn out every year to make running repairs, as well as putting up and taking down lights and organising street collections. The committee would like to express gratitude to the teleporter owners and the drivers who give freely of their time and expertise. The committee really appreciate the effort you have put in, and everyone agrees it makes an enormous difference to our town.
Of course it takes funds as well as effort, and the committee also wish to thank every member of the public who contributed to the iDonate fundraiser, to those that supported the church gate collection, the volunteers who took charge at the church gates, the stalwart businesses that come up trumps every year with donations, and the local media – the Roscommon People, Roscommon Herald and Shannonside FM – for their support.
The committee would also like to thank Roscommon County Council for their support through the 2022 Community Support Fund. Thanks to the Gardaí who escorted Santa to the housing estates around the town. The committee especially want to thank Santa Claus himself for taking time out from his busy schedule to switch on the lights and spend time with the children afterwards.
It’s a community effort, and the committee are always seeking new people to get involved in any way, small or large. The committee would like to appeal to anyone not currently involved but interested in volunteering or contributing in any way to the erection of the 2023 Christmas lights to contact Eamonn Gleeson (087 2615956), David Kearney (086 8592121), or any committee member, who will be very pleased to hear from them.
Putting up Christmas lights may seem like a small thing, but particularly over the last three years when Covid restrictions dampened so many of the usual festive celebrations, having the lights in place around Roscommon town was especially important. They are cheerful and uplifting, and show the strength of community spirit and volunteerism around the town.
