Mayor Jim Finucane, Rose of Tralee Maria Walsh and John Drummey of John Drummey Communications at the turning on of the Christmas Lights in The Square on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
NOT content with lighting up the town by winning the Rose of Tralee contest in August, Maria Walsh returned to town on Saturday to perform the official turning on of the Christmas Lights.
Ably assisted by Mayor of Tralee, Jim Finucane, the Mayo native charmed the hundreds who gathered in the Square by thanking them for their well wishes and wishing them all a happy Christmas.
Continued below…
It rounded off a fantastic day of colour and family entertainment with the CH Chemists parade and people stayed to pack the shops buying Christmas presents.
CEO of Tralee Chamber Alliance, Kieran Ruttledge, was delighted with how the whole day panned out.
“The parade was fabulous. CH Chemists did a great job, ably assisted by Oliver Hurley and his stage school. Maria Walsh has proved a fabulous draw. She’s a great Rose and the crowd loves her. The dry weather has helped as well of course,” said Kieran, who emphasised the importance of shopping in town for Christmas.
“Hopefully traders will have a great December. Shop local is the message. One way of maintaining jobs in Tralee for the future is by shopping in Tralee. If we start buying everything online then that’s no good to the town at all,” he said.
Scroll down for a short video and photos…
Rose of Tralee, Maria Walsh, and Mayor of Tralee Jim Finucane press the button to light up Christmas in Tralee with Oonagh O’Gara looking on. Photo by Dermot Crean
Denny Street is looking good for Christmas.
Young Hollie Leane (centre, black coat) who celebrated her ninth birthday on Saturday with friends at the switching on of the lights in The Square. Photo by Dermot Crean
The large crowd in the Square for the switching on of the Christmas lights. Photo by Dermot Crean
The Ashe Memorial Hall looks amazing for Christmas. Photo by Dermot Crean
Has Denny Street and the Pikeman ever looked as beautiful? Eh, no! Photo by Dermot Crean
