Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture deemed a huge success

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.

Call for support for Dundalk family who have lost their house to fire just before Christmas

John Menary

Local man John Menary has issued an appeal for support for a local family who have lost their house due to fire.

Writing on his Facebook page yesterday, John said that the family in question had three children – aged 4, 5 and 8 – who were facing a horrible Christmas as a result of the blaze that has gutted their home.

The incident happened on Sunday in the Lios Dubh estate on the Armagh Road.

Now John has asked people to donate anything that would help make this Christmas that bit more special for those affected.

He said: “To all my friends, something terrible has happened to two great friends of mine here in Dundalk. Yesterday their house burnt down. They have 3 small kids ages 4 (girl) 5 and 8 (boys). They’ve been left with absolutely nothing apart from the clothes on their back.

“They’ve been put into a B&B for the next 3 weeks until the council guts the house but it’s going to take a long time for this young family to get back on their feet and with Santa due in 5 weeks it has caused so much pain for this young family.

“Can I ask all of my friends in the local area if there is anything you can do/give/donate to help this family it would be so much appreciated.

“I’m going to do all I can to help. I’d love for all who can to be behind me and help support them.”

In an update, John said he was amazed at the kindness and support shown and thanked everyone for their help to date.

Anyone who would like to help out is asked to contact John via his Facebook page.

UPDATE: John has organised a collection point this evening (Tuesday from 6.30pm to 10pm at the old Toymaster between Carroll Village and the Long Walk. All are invited to come along and lend their support.

Dundalk On Ice launches today with further details of next weekend’s Festival of Light and Culture revealed

Dundalk On Ice will open to the public from today

As the countdown continues to the Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture 2014, further highlights for the Christmas Festival, taking place on Friday and Saturday, November 28^th & 29th, have been confirmed.

Dundalk FC manager Stephen Kenny, will join Louth County Council Cathaoirleach, Oliver Tully in officially switching on the town centre’s Christmas illuminations on Friday week

The pair will also perform the official opening of the Dundalk on Ice indoor ice rink which will be open to the public from this evening.

As the festival gets underway, it’s over to the live music stage at the Courthouse and Voice of Ireland winner, Brendan McCahey, has confirmed that he will make a special guest appearance on Friday evening.

Another highlight of the weekend will take place on Saturday evening with the arrival of Santa at the Marshes Shopping Centre on a huge Kenworth truck.

The Kenworth truck is the biggest of its kind in Ireland and festival goers will have the chance to see for themselves this giant of American trucks when it arrives in Dundalk, with Santa on board, on Saturday evening November 29th as the fantastic firework display brings the festival to its conclusion at the Marshes Shopping Centre.

Speaking on Santa’s mode of transport this week, Harry Traynor said: ‘It’s understandable that we give the reindeers a bit of a rest in the run up to December 25^th and we always like to offer Santa different ways to arrive at the Marshes Shopping Centre.

“The Kenworth Truck is absolutely huge. In fact, we had to check and see was it actually possible to drive such a wide truck through the streets. It’s certainly going to be an unforgettable sight of this year’s Festival.”

All the latest additions to the Festival of Light & Culture, along with previously announced highlights including Dundalk on Ice, Titan the Robot, the Festival Train, Letters to Santa and Animal Farm & Blessings are included in the Festival programme now available from outlets throughout the town including the Dundalk Tourist Office/Dundalk BIDS Office, Marshes Shopping Centre.

Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture is funded and supported by the following without whose generosity holding this community event would not be possible: Louth County Council, Marshes Shopping Centre, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dundalk BIDS, Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, Dundalk Tidy Towns, PetSafe, Haribo and Dundalk Bureau de Change via Dundalk on Ice.

Santa Post Box coup for Dundalk Festival of Light

Throughout the country many children are already writing to Santa, getting their orders in early.

This year children can send their Letters to Santa, free of charge via North Pole Mail from a special Santa Post Box to be located by the Dundalk BIDS office at the Market Square, as part of the Festival of Light & Culture celebrations taking place on Friday and Saturday, November 28th and 29th.

The Festival Committee along with sponsors, Haribo, have been in contact with Santa’s headquarters and it has been confirmed that Santa will reply to each letter accompanied by a contact e-mail address.

Speaking on the coup for the Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture, Harry Traynor, Marshes Shopping Centre said: “We are delighted that even at the busiest time of the year for Santa he has agreed to give whatever free time he has to e-mailing the children who post their Christmas letters at the special letter box during the Festival.

“We are also thrilled with the support from Dundalk based Haribo, who have agreed to share some of Santa’s favourite sweets with the boys and girls who take the time to write a letter and visit the Post Box.

Santa’s Post Box is just one of the numerous attractions laid on by the Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture with children in mind.

In recent years ice skating in Dundalk has been a great hit with children so expect more fun to be had at the real Dundalk on Ice rink, fully enclosed to protect skaters from the elements.

Titan the Robot will also be making a number of appearances at the Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture with a performance sure to entertain the large number of children expected at the Festival

Children’s amusements will be located in the town centre and there’s sure to be a great interest amongst young animal lovers in the Animal Farm on the Demesne, sponsored by PetSafe and in aid of the Louth SPCA.

After all the Festival fun, small feet can get tired so why not take the children on a trip around Dundalk via the Festival Train.

Of course on Saturday, children can enjoy the Festival fireworks at the Marshes Shopping Centre, followed by the arrival of Santa in full splendour via a Kenworth Truck, the largest truck ever to be seen not only in Dundalk, but in Ireland.

Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture is funded and supported by the following: Louth County Council, Dundalk Bureau de Change, Marshes Shopping Centre, Dundalk BIDS, Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, Dundalk Tidy Towns, PetSafe, Haribo, the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dundalk on Ice

Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture 2014 programme unveiled

Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture 2014 – the official start of the town’s Christmas celebrations takes place on Friday and Saturday, November 28^th &29^th with a two-day packed programme of events, set against the brightly illuminated buildings of the town centre.

Celebrations on Friday night will include the switching on of the town centre illuminations and Christmas tree along with the official launch of Dundalk on Ice

Titan the Robot, who made a huge impression last year returns to Dundalk and will be meeting his fans both in the Dundalk Town Centre and The Marshes Shopping Centre over the two days of the Festival.

Funny, fast paced and full of surprises, Titan is the ultimate family entertainment comedy show where you come to expect the unexpected!

Titan’s fame has seen him perform in 25 countries worldwide and in recent years Titan has danced with Rihanna in Hollywood, appeared at Wembley Stadium with Will.i.am, stolen a kiss from Heidi Klum on Germany’s Next Top Model and performed on countless TV shows.

This year’s Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture sees a number of new attractions.

An Animal Farm will be held in the Demesne. Visitors to the Farm will have the chance to see many different animals including chickens, giant rabbits, pygmy goats, pet sheep, llama, alpaca, as well as a small falabella pony and cart. Plus why not take your own pets along for the animal blessing on Saturday.

Sponsored by PetSafe, this FREE Animal Farm has the full support of the Louth Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and donations may be made to this very worthwhile local cause.

 Those who are busy writing their Letter to Santa will be interested to know that the Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture will have a designated Letter to Santa Postbox this year.

Young letter writers may be lucky and see an elf or two collecting what is sure to be sackload after sackload of post over the two days. Plus even though he will be getting into the full preparations for Christmas, rumour has it Santa may take time out of his hectic schedule  and turn up to collect some of the post in person.

After posting your letter why not head over to Earl Street where there will be plenty to amuse including carousels and a Disco Dome.

Christmas Markets continue to be featured in the Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture. A market aimed at featuring the best of local crafts and offering unique gift ideas will be housed in the Clanbrassil Centre while seasonal scents will permeate the air around the Market Square with sweet and savoury tastes catered for at the food market.

Live entertainment is once again playing an integral part in this year’s Festival of Light & Culture with stages to be located at the courthouse side of the Market Square and also on Park Street.

Blue Moose will headline the live music on Friday, November 28^th. Boasting a fantastic following in Dundalk, there’s sure to be a great turnout for what is Ireland’s most in demand cover band. Blue Moose play all major entertainment venues in the country but festival goers will have the opportunity to see them live and free at the Market Square.

A simple walk up the town will entertain during the Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture, fire eaters, unicyclists and other street performers will keep everyone entertained on the main thoroughfare.

Don’t worry if your feet get a bit weary enjoying all the attractions that Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture has to offer plus visiting the many shops in Dundalk. For the two day Festival there will be a free Festival train running through key points between the town centre and The Marshes Shopping Centre. See Dundalk from a different perspective and soak in the lights, aromas and atmosphere of the Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture.

The Festival will close on Saturday evening with a spectacular Fireworks Display at the Marshes Shopping Centre, lighting up the Dundalk skyline

Speaking on the launch of the Dundalk Festival of Light& Culture Programme Dundalk BIDS Manager, Edel O’Mahony said “The Dundalk Festival of Lights & Culture Organising Committee, which features representations from Dundalk BIDS, The Marshes Shopping Centre, Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, Dundalk Tidy Towns and voluntary individuals, has put a lot of effort into bringing together this extensive programme of events and we hope that as many people as possible get to enjoy the two day festival.

“It can be difficult when budgets are tight but I do believe we have been successful in bringing a number of fantastic FREE events such as the Animal Farm, Titan the Robot the Letter to Santa post box and of course our live music, to complement the Dundalk on Ice, markets etc.

“I would encourage everyone to spread the word about  the Dundalk Festival of Lights& Culture and get behind, what is, a main community event in Dundalk’s calendar.”

Ghan House Christmas Fair this Sunday

Ghan House in Carlingford will host a Christmas Fair this Sunday from 12 noon to 5pm.

The third year the event has been run, it is a celebration of everything that Carlingford has to offer.

With Santa’s grotto for the kids, a chance to purchase some Christmas gifts and vouchers, a Christmas cookery demonstration and cake and biscuit decorating for children, it is suitable for all the family.

There is a fantastic opportunity to get some cookery tips as Ghan House’s 2 AA Rosette head chef will be conducting a deliciously festive Christmas cookery demonstration at 12:30pm. There will be a charge of €5 per person for the demo and booking is recommended!  It’s a unique chance to see how Christmas is done in a professional kitchen!

There is also a cupcake and biscuit decorating class for children. The class costs €5 per child and they will have a cupcake and a gingerbread man to take home with them.Suitable for children of all ages!  Again, booking is recommended.

All profit from the demonstration and the kids class are going to be donated to the ISPCC’s “Holly Bake” fundraiser to help support vulnerable children this Christmastime.

Local businesses and crafts people such as the ones featured below will be on hand throughout the day to purchase gifts and vouchers as well as Ghan House itself offering homemade jams, chutneys, breads & gift vouchers. There is also wine-tasting with Owen from Wines Direct

Call 042 937 3682 or visit www.ghanhouse.com for further information

Businesses in-house on the day include:

• Pearl Beauty Salon
• McArdles Boutique
• Heavenly Cakes
• Riverlane Gifts
• Sweet & Deadly
• Winesdirect
• Ginger Lily Pearl
• Tivole Jewellery
• Petals Flowers & Gifts
• Crystal & Pearl Crafts
• Olive McGuinness
• Patricia McAteer & Maura Muckian
• Ogham Apothercary

Santa Claus visiting Dundalk Rugby Club this Sunday

Santa Claus will be making an appearance at Dundalk Rugby Club on the Mill Road this Sunday.

He will be appearing at 3.30pm on the day with all boys and girls who are registered with the club invited to attend.

Christmas kids event in Oriel this Sunday

Oriel Active will be hosting a ‘Christmas Just 4 Kids’ event this Sunday December 15^th from 3pm to 6pm.

This unique Christmas event will feature bouncy castles, slides, stages for dancing, face painting and more.

There’s also a chance to meet Santa and receive an official personalised North Pole ‘good list’ certificate.

Admission is €12 per child, with tickets available from the Oriel Active Centre by calling 042-9335084 or 087-6829888.

The Dance Kids prepare for Jingle All The Way

Some of Freda Hearty’s Dance Kids who will be entertaining all those who attend Jingle All The Way on December 29th and 30th

Freda Hearty and the Dance Kids are back once more with their Christmas show ‘Jingle All The Way’ which takes place on the 29th and 30th of December in An Tàin Theatre.

‘Jingle All The Way’ is jam packed full of all your Christmas favourites as well as a wonderful excerpt of ‘Annie’, which is sure to tug at your heartstrings. The talented dancers will also be performing to many favourites such as Jessie J, One Direction and Queen to name just a few that are guaranteed to have audiences of every age dancing and singing along in their seats.

“The Dance Kids have been busier than Santa’s elves rehearsing for ‘Jingle All The Way’,” said Freda Hearty, founder, Dance Kids Stage School.

“Tickets for ‘Jingle All The Way’ make great stocking fillers and with our earlier show time of 6:30pm it promises to be a perfect night out for all the family.”

Freda Hearty and the Dance Kids are renowned for raising money for needy charities both locally and abroad and over the past number of years have raised an amazing €150,000 for charity. This year proceeds from ‘Jingle All The Way’ will be donated to local charities.

‘Jingle All The Way’ takes place in An Tàin Theatre on the 29th and 30th of December at the earlier starting time of 6:30pm. It is the perfect festive event for all the family to enjoy during the Christmas period. The Dance Kids are well known for putting on a fantastic show, and ‘Jingle All The Way’ will be no exception. Book your tickets today at An Tàin Theatre’s box office on 042 9392919.

This week’s Argus

This week’s Argus leads with the story of Dundalk’s success in landing a new world record with the Santa Run on Friday. There’s also a story of how one of the Santa Run organisers, Jimmy Cumiskey, had his house burgled during the event. There’s also a tribute from local TD Gerry Adams to deceased priest Fr Alec Reid, while in sport the paper speculates that Dundalk are closing in on the signing of Cork City’s Daryl Horgan.

All that and more in this week’s Argus… on sale now!

Related articles

• Fr Alec Reid RIP (talkofthetown.ie)
• Dundalk breaks World Record with 5,000 taking part in Santa Run (talkofthetown.ie)