Dark Christmas ahead for Westport

Westport could face its first Christmas without festive lights in years after the town's Chamber of Commerce announced it is withdrawing from the annual Christmas Lighting Programme with immediate effect, raising concerns the beloved tradition may not proceed in 2026.

By Jack Good Published 2nd Jun 2026, 08:30 BST Westport Christmas Lights in December 2025 | Amayo Photography Westport could face its first Christmas without festive lights in years after the town's Chamber of Commerce announced it is withdrawing from the annual Christmas Lighting Programme with immediate effect, raising concerns the beloved tradition may not proceed in 2026. Sign up to our Mayo Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Mayo Live within your account.

The Chamber stepped in three years ago to ensure the iconic tradition of the Christmas lights was kept alive. They now say the role has become financially and operationally unsustainable.

“It's been very difficult for us over the last three years, and we can't go back to the same people time after time,” said Dermott Langan, President of Westport Chamber of Commerce. “You can't go back to the people time and time again. It's a very difficult job — our committee is small, and it's just a lot of knocking on doors, constantly looking for money.”

The annual cost of running the town's Christmas lights is estimated at between €50,000 and €60,000 . Last year, the Chamber raised €50,000 from local businesses and secured a separate €50,000 government grant used for light replacements and upgrades . Despite those efforts, the Chamber says it cannot continue to carry the burden alone.

Langan pointed to a structural gap left by local government reform as a root cause of the problem. “Way back in the good old days of the town council , a percentage of the rates was kept aside for things like Christmas lights, and that hasn't happened since Mayo County Council took over — and that's missed,” he said. “The ratepayers keep asking why Mayo County Council aren't doing the lights. It's something that should be done in every town and every county, because Christmas lights are very important to towns and communities — not just for tourists and visitors, but for the local community as well.”

Read More TikTok Star Garron Noone to switch on Christmas lights in North Mayo Town Mayo town facing dark Christmas without festive lights West Mayo town alight with Christmas cheer as special guest turns on lights Santa to make appearance for turning on of Christmas lights in Mayo town Minister Calleary thanks those involved in lighting up Mayo town this Christmas Magic of Christmas set to begin in Mayo town this Friday The Chamber called for the establishment of a dedicated 'Town Team' or independent community-led Christmas Lighting Committee to secure the programme's future — a model that, notably, is already working just up the road in Ballina.

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“I think the only way out of it is for the people in the town to set up something that would provide Christmas lights for the town,” Langan added.

While Christmas will always be associated with the North Pole, it is North Mayo that might hold the secret to keeping Christmas magic alive this year.

While Westport searches for answers, Ballina may already have them. The North Mayo town's community-led Christmas Lights Committee is well into preparations for its second year, with organisers already ordering new lights and recruiting volunteers ahead of the festive season.

After last year’s hugely successful turning on of the Christmas lights, which saw thousands flock to the town’s Market Square , the community-led committee is gearing up for an even bigger celebration in year two of an ambitious three-year plan.

Set up by local businessman Paul Bourke, the 'Ballina Lights, Let There Be Light' committee operates on a self-funded community model that has so far avoided placing any burden on local businesses. Last year, the committee raised nearly €30,000 through its own fundraising efforts, supplemented by a €25,000 contribution from Mayo County Council — without approaching a single business for a donation. The event drew families into the town centre and was widely regarded as a success.

“We've already been ordering for this Christmas,” said Bourke, Chairman of the Ballina Lights Committee. “We're looking for new people to get involved and help us out. We're going bigger and better on the pumpkin patch fundraiser in October.”

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Now in the second year of a three-year development plan, the committee is scaling up its ambitions. A public meeting is to be called next week to reignite community interest and attract new volunteers — particularly electricians, who are needed to ensure safe installations as the display expands.

The contrast between the two towns throws into sharp focus a wider question about how Mayo's communities fund and sustain their festive traditions in the absence of dedicated local government support. For Westport, the hope is that Ballina's grassroots model might inspire a new generation of volunteers to step forward before the lights go out for good.

Related topics: Town Council Mayo County Council Mayo Christmas Mayo Magic Sign up to our Mayo Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Mayo Live within your account.