Christmas lights are to remain up in one Co Roscommon town throughout January to give people a ‘bit of hope’ amid a third lockdown.
With January 6th marking the end of the Christmas season, today is traditionally the day many people across the country take down their festive lights and decorations.
This year’s Nollaig na mBan comes during the level five lockdown - with further restrictions on schools and construction expected to be confirmed later today.
Roscommon Councillor Valerie Byrne says leaving the lights up in Elphin is one small way of giving people a lift this month.
She told Newstalk Breakfast: “This Christmas we were saying we’re going into a new year, and the vaccines are on the way. Then after Christmas there was a slump because the numbers have gone up so high.
“If pubs are closed, if restaurants are closed… all the towns and villages will be very dark. If we left the lights on until the end of January, at least we’d have the days getting longer and nights getting shorter.
“It’s a bit of light and a bit of hope for someone.”
Councillor Byrne also encouraged other towns across the country to follow Elphin’s example and leave the lights up a little while longer this year.
She suggested: “Why do we put up lights for Christmas in the first place? It’s to give somebody a guiding light and a bit of hope - that’s what we’re hoping to do with this initiative.”
