FAMILIES FLICK SWITCHES ON DAZZLING LIGHTS DISPLAYS
BURKES AND DOYLES RAISING FUNDS FOR WORTHY CHARITIES
WHILE most of us make a small effort to breathe some festive cheer into our homes at this time of year, two Arklow families have pulled out all the stops and are raising funds for charities with their jaw-dropping lights displays.
On Beech Road, Mary and Eamonn Burke are famous in Arklow for their extensive lights display which they have been collecting for over 20 years.
The couple raise funds for Crumlin Hospital and always attract spectators from across the county.
‘We have all the lights up now and we switched them on last week, Mary said. Mary and Eamonn were joined by their children, partners and grandchildren for the special occasion.
‘ This year we have a new Santa projector and we have a polar bear scene and a Christmas village so we hope as many people as possible come along and have a look and make a donation for Crumlin,’ she said. Across town in Fernhill estate, Anthony and Arlette Doyle have also been hard at work decorating their house.
‘I have been doing it for about 15 years and I reckon there are at least 20,000 lights on the house,’ Anthony said.
Anthony and Arlette use their display to raise money for a cause very close to their hearts.
‘We donate the money raised to Arklow Community First Responders. My son Anthony passed away at the age of 29 and the responders were here in three minutes to help him. It is in his honour that we do it,’ Anthony said. The Doyles were joined by many neighbours and friends as they flicked the switch for the first time last Saturday evening.
‘ This year, we have a lights show every hour, on the hour, and they will be on every night from 5 to 10 p.m. There is a collection box for the donations,’ he said.
The family is well-known for their amazing home decoration and their house is also a huge hit with the local children at Hallowe’en.
‘We gave out 460 goodie bags on Hallowe’en and even now the kids walk by and tell their parents how much they enjoyed it so it’s very worthwhile for us,’ Anthony said.
Anthony and Arlette’s home came to national prominence last year when they got down to the final of a competition to pick the most decorated house in Ireland. They received good news yesterday when they learned that they have again made the final 20 of the Ireland’s Most Christmassy Home competition. The public can cast their vote on the Energia Facebook page.