Exciting plans revealed for new festive lighting in Ballina

A recently formed committee of volunteers has presented ambitious plans to Mayo County Council to enhance this year’s Christmas lights offering in Ballina.

The Ballina Lights Committee was formed following a meeting last January where businesspeople and local residents expressed their frustration at what was described as a “dismal” situation with Christmas lighting in Ballina in 2024.

Secretary of the committee David Murray told the Western People they recently presented the council with detailed mockups of what some of the streets in Ballina could look like this festive season and in the years to come.

“We started after what happened in 2024 but we can’t do anything about that now. We decided when we set up that the best thing to do is to be positive in all we do and it says on our logo, ‘Let There Be Light'. 

“What we can do is something about 2025, 2026 and beyond and we have ambitious plans starting with this year,” he said.

The committee is planning to erect brackets on buildings at strategic locations around the town once they receive permission from the owner. These brackets will stay up all year around as part of a “year-round vision” and the lighting fixtures will be interchangeable depending on the occasion.

“On Tone Street, it would go all the way down and back up to the top at the Western People building," explained Mr Murray. "The lighting fixtures are interchangeable so on St Patrick’s weekend, we can have shamrocks or whatever else and it would be the same with the Salmon Festival, Halloween and any other events."

The main focal point for the Christmas lighting would be at the Innovation Quarter (IQ) where the committee intends to install an illuminated arch with a Ballina-related motif. It has also presented proposals for decorating other structures around the town such as trees and heritage lamp posts as well as cross streetlights on Tone Street and Tolan Street.

Mr Murray said the committee has also focused on generating a Christmas atmosphere around the town and the day earmarked for the switching on of lights, Sunday, November 23, at 5pm, will feature a programme of Christmas-themed events to ring in the season in Ballina.

“Funding is limited for this year but we have an ambitious plan. We have overwhelming support from the council, councillors, businesses in the town, local corporations and community groups, all have been fantastic,” he said.

“We have a wonderful town when we all pull together. We want to shine a light on Ballina and north Mayo in particular, and if we can get the place looking great in 2025 then 2026 will be even better.” 

The committee will hold an open meeting this Tuesday night at 9pm upstairs in Bar Square where members of the public are invited to make suggestions for the lighting programme. They will also hold a Pumpkin Patch fundraising event at the Old Convent on Saturday, October 25.