In the featured photograph you will behold the familiar luminous sight of Ballaghaderreen’s Christmas lights. These illuminations have, over the years, become a celebrated institution and have even been immortalised in Ballagh’s own Christmas Cards with this beautiful view being sent across the globe to friends and family members. Splendid and twinkling these lights herald the coming of the Christmas season as well as signifying Ballagh’s own Christmas spirit.

However, this traditional, even archetypal image, of Ballaghaderreen during the festive season has, it seems, become a given to the population. Accustomed to this well-known sight we have forgotten their significance and have began to take them for granted. How many times have we passed under the lights without an upward glance, without enjoying the sheer beauty of those white lights and snowflakes? Do we ever look up and truly appreciate the lights, the work undertaken to install them every year and, finally, the financial cost to keep Ballagh festively attired during Christmas? Take a mental picture Ballagh and commit it to memory because 2007 could, in all probability, be the Christmas lights’ final outing. Ballaghaderreen’s illuminations cost approximately €15,000 each year. This is usually raised through generous contributions from the town’s businesses in conjunction with the Christmas Light Committee. However, with the closure of shops along the streets and the relocation of other businesses the contributions have consequently decreased. In fact the contributions have been so considerably reduced that the prospect of erecting our illuminations for Christmas 2008 is looking increasingly unfeasible.

The Christmas Light Committee wish to thank all those, whether businesses or individuals, who have supported or contributed to the Christmas Lights in some form or another in the past and now are asking these people and the people of Ballaghaderreen to help this classic institution. In today’s society, it has become too easy to be completely antipathetic regarding our community and its causes. The constraints of our daily lives such as work, family, children, money and so on envelops us until it is all we can see. We can all be guilty of this antipathy, including myself, but do not let it become the deathblow for this cause and for the Christmas card to be all that remains of our Christmas lights. Schools, playgroups and other local organisations how about a sponsored event so that future generations can experience these glistening illuminations? What about a church gate collection? But it is not just finance, the Christmas Light Committee would be grateful for any support people are willing to give such as an individual’s time and labour in helping erect the lights themselves.

In ensuring the continuance of the Christmas light display you ensure the continuance of Christmas spirit in Ballaghaderreen. If you hold some pride for Ballaghaderreen do not let it be devoid of light; a lone place of darkness encompassed by its festively lit neighbours. Answer the Committee’s call for support and help Ballaghaderreen remain the bright gateway to the West for future generations at Christmas. If you wish to assist in any way please contact any of the following: Padraig Mulligan, John Moynihan, Aodhan Egan, or Colm Durkin.

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