New lights add extra sparkle to Rathdrum’s festive celebrations

FRESH from winning a Pride of Place Award for 2018, Rathdrum’s attention turned to all things festive with the switching on of the Christmas Lights on Saturday evening.

A large crowd of a couple of hundred of people gathered in and around Market Square as Jimmy Olohan, Chairman of the Rathdrum Development Association, officially turned the lights on for 2018.

The town is looking especially impressive this Christmas with a selection of brand new lights brightening up Rathdrum’s Main Street, drawing plenty of compliments from the crowd.

There was plenty of excitement amongst the youngsters present when they heard the news that Santa Claus would be making an appearance having cleared up some space in his busy schedule.

There were plenty of festive scenes in Market Square, as Jack Manley provided the music which plenty of revellers enjoyed enough to partake in a little jig.

The Parnell Memorial Pipe Band were also involved, while children from local schools sang a selection of Christmas carols which added a real seasonal feeling to proceedings.

The winners of the colouring competition for children were announced at the end of the evening.

Seamus O’Toole and the lighting committee were all thanked for their endeavours in helping to illuminate Rathdrum over the upcoming Christmas season.

Bernie and Oisin Kearns. Mick Byrne proudly wears the gold and bronze medals which he won at the British and Irish Masters Cross Country Championships in Swansea.

(Back, from left) Marian, Emma, Edel, (front) Billy and Eva Norris.

Saoirse Dempsey, Nadia Duffy, Amy Snell and Jack Duffy.

Angela Murphy with Tyler and Priya Howard.

Annemarie, Katie and Ava O’Connor.

Ali O’Toole, Sam Whelan and Lilly O’Toole.

Maria Merrigan and Molly Merrigan Langan.

Santa Claus arrives in Rathdrum.