Christmas saved in Edenderry!

Last week it looked like the holiday season would be grim in the north Offaly town of Edenderry, with its Christmas lights in danger due to a lack of funds.

After a mammoth effort organisers revealed today (Tuesday) they are just €100 or so short of the €5,000 needed to fund the festive lights however.

“The people in the town have been great,” Siobhan Swords of Edenderry Credit Union Business Support said, adding that insurance for the lights was put in place yesterday and the lights are being put up today.

The money to cover the cost of the lights was raised via a collection in Brady’s shop, church gate collections last Saturday and Sunday and donations from businesses and individuals.

“It’s brilliant the community got behind it,” Siobhan said. “We’re very grateful for all the contributions.”

The lights will be switched on this Sunday, December 8, the same day lights on the Christmas tree erected by the council will be turned on.

In the meantime, anyone interested in topping up the final tally of funds raised for festive cause can do so by dropping any amount of money large or small into Edenderry Credit Union.

Siobhan said plans will be put in place for Christmas 2014 from next February, giving the community more time to fundraise.

In more good news for Edenderry locals and visitors alike, it’s been revealed there will be no parking charges in place in the town from December 16 to 24 inclusive.

Motorists must insure to park legally during the no charge period however, as anyone found to be parked illegally on double yellow lines, on a footway, obstructing an entrance, in a bus stop or in a disabled bay for example will be fined as normal.