Work is ongoing to light up Mayo tourist town for Christmas
There were fears that Westport would be without lights this Christmas. Picture: Alison Laredo
Councillors in Westport have been advised that negotiations are in hand to ensure that the Christmas lights will shine again this year in the tourist town.
The reassurance was offered by Joe Corcoran of Destination Westport after Cllr Peter Flynn raised the matter at this month’s Westport-Belmullet Municipal District meeting.
The Fine Gael councillor had expressed fears that no funding was available to finance the lighting costs.
“Are we going to have a dark Christmas in Westport because if the lights are not on in four weeks’ time it will be a stark message as to what issues there are. This is a very emotive and important topic, and it would be a huge shame to let this happen.”
Local hotelier Joe Corcoran, who was part of a delegation from Destination Westport attending the meeting, told Cllr Flynn that work was ongoing to resolve the issue.
“I understand there is a group in Westport looking at it but on a voluntary basis and funding is an issue. We are hopeful there will be progress in the next couple of weeks and that the lights will be on.”
The update was welcomed by Cllr Flynn, who stated: “This is great news if the lights are taken care of. I don’t know where the money is coming from or the lights, but this news is most welcome.”
- Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
