Tag Archives: Christmas tree

Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture deemed a huge success

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This year’s Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture has seen its best event to date with thousands flocking into the Dundalk town centre and enjoying a packed two day programme of events.

Friday’s event had something for everyone. There was the official opening of Dundalk on Ice and the switching on of the town’s Christmas Tree lights with the honours falling to Louth County Council chairman Cllr Oliver Tully along with Dundalk FC manager Stephen Kenny.

In fact Stephen had travelled from Donegal with his family to make sure he was there to celebrate with the Dundalk Festival goers.

Titan the Robot received a rapturous welcome back to Dundalk and a lot of families made sure they were in the town for his performances over the weekend both at the Market Square and in the Marshes Shopping Centre.

The street performers were outstanding as they entertained the many people on the streets who were availing of the fantastic offers both at the Craft and Food markets and via the many special offers town centre businesses were offering over the Festival.

Animal lovers flocked to the Animal Farm and brought their pets in for the special Blessing of the Animals ceremony, with all donations going to the Louth SPCA.

The Festival fireworks were a sight to behold and Santa’s arrival on the huge Kenworth truck had children staring wide eyed as the man in red had given the reindeers some time off before their big Christmas run.

Speaking on the success of the Festival, organising committee member Harry Traynor of Marshes Shopping Centre said: “This year’s Festival was definitely worth all the hard word and demonstrates how year on year Dundalk is improving.

“With top class acts such as Titan, a premier Dundalk on Ice facility, fantastic Festival fireworks, Voice of Ireland winner Brendan McCahey, Dundalk put on a Festival equal if not far superior to other parts of the country.”

Fellow Committee member, Martin McElligott was equally impressed by the Festival’s success.

“This has been a fantastic Christmas experience and it was tremendous to see retailers coming together as a community, being involved in the Festival’s organisation and/or offering promotional discounts to Festival goers.

“Hopefully the positivity created over the Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture will carry on to Christmas and beyond.”

The Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture organising committee would like to thank those who generously sponsored and supported the weekend Festival. Without their sponsorship, the festival would quite simply not have happened.

Appreciation goes to: Louth County Council, Marshes Shopping Centre, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dundalk BIDS, Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, Dundalk on Ice, Dundalk Tidy Towns, PetSafe and Haribo.

Dundalk ratepayers urged to vote yes to BIDS

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logo-1Dundalk ratepayers are being asked to support Dundalk’s Business Investment District Scheme (BIDS) through to 2018 by voting yes in the upcoming ballot.

As ballot papers on the continuation of the scheme are being sent out, Dundalk BIDS Chairperson Brian O’Neill along with Fiona Cunningham who has worked in the BIDS office since its establishment in 2009 spoke of the vital positive work the office has been involved with.

Dundalk was the first town to take up the BIDS strategy and has had a huge involvement in many projects and initiatives over the year including the Market Square refurbishment, the return of the Dundalk Tourist Office to the Market Square, Town Watch, Fashion Festivals, Táin Summer Festival, Festival of Lights and Culture and Dundalk on Ice.

“I have to say I don’t know if many of the initiatives we would have been involved in would have come about, or been so successful, had there not been a BIDS presence in Dundalk,” Brian O’Neill said this week.

He explained: “Visitors to Dundalk and the surrounding areas now come straight to the heart of the town centre to the Tourist Office. They not only find out about hotels, B&Bs and tourist attractions but are given details on where to eat, where to shop etc.

“It was BIDs who paved the way for the Tourist Office to re-open at the Square after many years absence and I regard that as one of our greatest achievements. This  would not have happened without Dundalk BIDS input and investment.”

The Town Watch system is another initiative Brian is proud of.

“Again BIDS plays an extremely active role in our Town Watch, which provides a quick and effective way to notify local businesses of anti social behaviour or security threats. Its success is seen in the growing attendances at out monthly meetings.”

Fiona Cunningham has seen the great changes in the town centre over the past number of years, thanks to Dundalk BIDS.

“You only have to take a look at Dundalk at Christmas to see the many positive changes BIDS has been involved in.

“A few years ago, prior to the Market Square refurbishment, Dundalk had a very lovely Christmas tree in front of the Court House. This year we will have the Christmas tree at the Square along with Dundalk on Ice, The Festival of Lights and Culture and The Dundalk Santa Fun Run.

“Dundalk BIDS is involved in all of the events and provides a vital base and communications network at the centre of the town.

“Imitation is the greatest form of flattery and towns both North and South of Dundalk are taking on our ideas but it is great to know we are a step ahead all the way.

“Dundalk BIDS is unique. I firmly believe the town would be at a disadvantage if the Dundalk BIDS office was not here. Ratepayers have been strong in their support for BIDS since its establishment and I would ask all ratepayers to vote tes on their ballot papers.”

Ratepayers must return their ballot papers to Dundalk Town Council by close of business on Monday, December 9th.

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