For this week’s Moment in Time, we have compiled a collection of photographs of Christmas lights being switched on across Laois over the years.
Always an event to draw crowds, and it is clear from these pictures that as the year’s pass, it grows in popularity.
These pictures showcase the very essence of both Christmas and community spirit.
Take a look and see if you can spot yourself.
RATHDOWNEY
Enjoying the musicat the turning on of the Rathdowney Christmas lights. Picture: Alf Harvey.Playing along at the turning on of the Rathdowney Christmas lights. Picture: Alf Harvey.Vanessa Hickey assisted by Santa turns on the lights at the turning on of the Rathdowney Christmas lights. Picture: Alf Harvey.With Santa at the turning on of the Rathdowney Christmas lights. Picture: Alf Harvey.The musicians at Peader’s Inn for the party to celebrate the switching on of the Christmas Lights in Rathdowney. Picture: Alf Harvey.Madge Campion and Mary Hennessy at Peader’s Inn for the party to celebrate the switching on of the Christmas Lights in Rathdowney. Picture: Alf Harvey.Electrician David Campion with his family Madge, Oisin and Ben at Peader’s Inn for the party to celebrate the switching on of the Christmas Lights in Rathdowney. Picture: Alf Harvey.Sarah Prendergast and Aoife Scanlon at Peader’s Inn for the party to celebrate the switching on of the Christmas Lights in Rathdowney. Picture: Alf Harvey.Seamus, Jacqueline and Erin Hassett at Peader’s Inn for the party to celebrate the switching on of the Christmas Lights in Rathdowney. Picture: Alf Harvey.Darren Hickey (on the ladder) switches on the Christmas Lights in Rathdowney on Sunday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Darren Hickey (on the ladder) switches on the Christmas Lights in Rathdowney on Sunday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Christmas Lights in Rathdowney. Picture: Alf Harvey.
MOUNTRATH
Ellie and Lucy Smullen at the turning on of the Christmas Lights in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.Maura and Brona Byrne at the turning on of the Christmas Lights in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.Shayne Boyhan all wrapped up, hottie and all at the turning on of the Christmas Lights in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.John Joe Fennelly MCC serving sweets to Bridget, Eva and Siobhan Brophy at the turning on of the Christmas Lights in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.Dan and Aoibhinn Russell at the turning on of the Christmas Lights in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.Katie O’Shaughnessy, Heather Mortimer and Jordan and Ciaran Hill at the turning on of the Christmas Lights in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.Some of the huge turnout at the turning on of the Christmas Lights in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.The committee at the turning on of the Christmas Lights in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.Carol singers at the turning on of the Christmas Lights in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.Members of the Foroige Club singing at the turning on of the Christmas Lights in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.Martina O’Brien with Robert Holmes, Philip Boyce, Michelle Boyce, Chloe Boyce, Martin and Marie O’Brien, Josh Holmes and Tadhg Cuddy at the turning on of the Christmas Lights in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.
DURROW
Singers at the turning on of the Durrow Christmas Lights. Picture: Alf Harvey.Sean Curran, Eric Lawlor and Emmet Walsh at the turning on of the Durrow Christmas Lights. Picture: Alf Harvey.Marian Curran and Deirdre Moore at the turning on of the Durrow Christmas Lights. Picture: Alf Harvey.Singing at the turning on of the Durrow Christmas Lights. Picture: Alf Harvey.Singers at the turning on of the Durrow Christmas Lights. Picture: Alf Harvey.Singers at the turning on of the Durrow Christmas Lights. Picture: Alf Harvey.Singers at the turning on of the Durrow Christmas Lights. Picture: Alf Harvey.
PORTLAOISE
The turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Santa doing the honours assisted by Alan Flynn and Andrew Shaw at the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Singers at the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.
Some of the huge turn out for the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Singers at the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Singers at the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Michael and Amy Moore at the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Michael, Anne and Amy Moore at the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Awaiting Santa at the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Santa arriving for the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Santa arriving for the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Santa arriving for the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Santa arriving for the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Jack Overton with Santa at the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.At the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Connor Lambe with Santa at the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.
Matthew Keegan, MTC with Santa at the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.with Santa at the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.
Mary and Sinead Kelly awaiting Santa at the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Meeting Santa at the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Meeting Santa at the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Abbie Bailey meeting Santa at the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Ayeisha Anjum (2) with Santa at the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Meeting Santa at the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Meeting Santa at the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Meeting Santa at the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Meeting Santa at the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Meeting Santa at the turning on of the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Lights on Main Street Portlaoise on Friday evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.
