'Lights on!'

Kilcullen's Christmas lights were officially switched on last night to a cheer from a crowd of young and old who braved one of the wettest nights of the year.



Santa Claus was the guest of honour, greatly appreciated by the youngsters, and even Scrooge -- who gatecrashed the event from the theatre nearby -- admitted that the occasion had touched the heart nobody believed he had.

"I think you all know what I feel about Christmas," he grumbled. "It's all humbug. But I think the great work done by Kilcullen Community Action in getting the lights up is no humbug, and I congratulate them for it."

KCA chairman Kieron Forde thanked everybody for coming out on the bad night. He also paid tribute to the people who had supported the fundraising effort, which had already raised the initial €10,000 asked for.

"However, the ESB imposed new regulations this year and we have to pay them a further €3,000 for permanent fixtures for the system," he added. "I'm confident that this will be raised, thanks to the businesses and the people in the town."

He also thanked the main street residents and business owners for allowing the placing of brackets on their buildings.

He expressed his appreciation to the contractors, Newpark Electrical, for their work, especially their dedication in finishing it yesterday in the pouring rain.



Finally he thanked Ray Kelly (above) who had been the 'prime mover' behind the project and, despite having the contractors in, had done 'a fair bit' of physical work himself.

Brian Byrne.