A former Mayor of Ennis believes that if Christmas celebrations in the county town were adequately funded, tourists would have no need to travel to any other part of Clare.
It comes as Ennis Municipal District has confirmed the Abbey Street Christmas Market and Ennis Christmas Train won’t be running this winter.
With Halloween decorations still on view outside many houses across the county, plans have been revealed for the festive season in Ennis.
The annual turning-on of the Christmas lights will take place on Thursday November 23rd, having been moved forward a day due to complaints from business-owners last year that holding the event on Black Friday resulted in traffic congestion on the town’s approach roads.
Also included in Ennis’s Yuletide calendar will be a Street Fashion Show on Saturday December 2nd and a ‘Music in the Plaza’ event on Thursday December 14th.
However, much disappointment has been expressed following the news that the Abbey Street Christmas Market and Ennis Christmas Train won’t be going ahead as normal this year.
Administrative Officer with Ennis Municipal District Niamh O’Connor says the Christmas market wasn’t a runner this year due to rising costs and a lack of interest from the market’s organiser ‘Event Ready’.
At this month’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, a Senior Executive Office confirmed “well over €100,000” is spent on Christmas in the county town each year, with the erection of Christmas lights costing approximately €70,000 alone and the putting-up of the Christmas tree amounting to €5,000.
Despite claims that the Christmas budget is tight this year, a former Mayor of Ennis insists festive celebrations must receive greater investment to boost tourism over the winter months.
Barefield Independent Councillor Ann Norton insists that particularly during the Christmas period, Ennis should be the local authority’s primary focus above any other part of the county when it comes to tourism promotion.
You can listen to the full interview below.
