Christmas Lights 2017

Tonight there’s going to be a jailbreak…

ure, if it wasn’t for that big eejit jibbering away up on the stage, this was pretty much a perfect night.

With the stage now facing the festive folk as they entered Burnaby Park, a beautiful half-moon hung overhead, like a guiding light, creating a setting that could make James Stewart weep.

Add to that a ceremony that was almost halved in running time, and – zippety-do-dat – you had one of Greystones’ finest Christmas Lights parties ever.

There were kids in costumes! Templecarrig Secondary School Choir in harmony! Free hats! Free lollipops! There were hunky firemen! There were funky clergy!

Most importantly of all, there was the big man himself, Santa, beaming as he arrived down Church Road on his horse-drawn sleigh.

For all those not lucky enough to be there, ace photographer John McGowan [and thanks to Albert O’Donnell for snapping the man himself, right] has captured all the cheering and chiming, all the hairy hats and happy kids.

Big shout-out to the all the dedicated little elves who helped pull the whole show together – Myra and Kay down at the Municipal District Office, councillors Tom Fortune and Nicola Lawless, the Greystones 2020 gang (especially ringleaders Grainne McLoughlin and Danica “Show me the money!” Murphy), Caithaorlach Gerry Walsh, the Irish Coast Guards (who stepped in as stewards for the night), Lisa Cassidy’s little elves, and the mighty Ross McParland for once again going above and beyond, supplying sweets, over 300 free Santa hats and even the elves on the night.

Here’s to a rockin’ good Christmas. Step back from the computer, kids, and hug a real person every day for the month of December.

You can view all of John McGowan’s mighty Christmas Lights 2017 shots right about here. Where you can also download any you like for nada. Free. Gratis. You can also check out our interview from earlier in the day with the bright sparks behind the town’s sparkling night.