In Pictures: Winter wonderland in Limerick village to raise money for local charities

LIMERICK senior hurling manager John Kiely and All-Star hurler Kyle Hayes were on hand to flick the switch for one of the biggest displays of Christmas lights in County Limerick.

They were joined at the Hayes' family homes in Shanagolden by Limerick senior footballer and All-Star nominee Cian Sheehan, who brought the county football trophy he won with his club, Newcastle West.

Around 800,000 lights and decorations have been erected as part of the Hayes’ Christmas Lights display which was first-launched 25-years ago.

In Pictures: Countdown to Christmas officially underway in Limerick

Since 1997, the charity display has expanded and this year there will be a Disney and North Pole theme.

“It's hard to believe how fast the year has gone and winter has arrived upon us again. As we face a challenging time ahead it's one we hope to overcome as a group of people like we did during the Covid time,” said Cormac Hayes who began installing and erecting the lights several weeks ago.

Despite the increase in electricity prices, Cormac says he and his family never considered not going ahead with the display.

A number of local charities – Milford Care Centre, the Children’s Ark at UHL and St Gabriel’s School – have been selected as the beneficiaries of this year’s display with members of the public encouraged to make a small donation when they visit the display.