25,000 throng streets as Christmas season gets underway

Galway City Tribune – An estimated 25,000 people thronged the streets for the biggest Christmas lighting up event Galway has ever seen as Santa traversed the city on his sleigh followed by an entourage of giant cartoon characters, elves and snow royalty.

In an initiative organised by five city centre business organisations and Galway City Council, massive Christmas decorations were turned on and entertainment laid on at key locations to ensure families could get up close and personal with the man himself and his 25 oversized friends.

Kicking off the parade at Raven Terrace in the West End was grocer Ernie Deacy who officially switched on the ‘Star Gate’ installation followed by carols from the Gaelscoil MhicAmhlaigh Choir and an excerpt from the upcoming play by the Blue Teapot Theatre Company.

Santa’s reindeer then led the Giant Ice King and Queen and the Santa train over Wolfe Tone Bridge, passing the Claddagh Basin where an illuminated swan family will reside for the Christmas period.

A fabulous star flake bauble was the next target for lighting by Connacht Rugby coach Andy Friend and captain Jarrad Butler in the Latin Quarter and the crowd was entertained by the Cois Cladaigh Chamber Choir.

Around 37,000 people were estimated to have attended the Christmas Market on its opening weekend buoyed by the fine, crisp weather.

Market Organiser Maria Moynihan Lee said the strong start meant they were on track to match last year’s 600,000-strong attendance despite the scaled back layout due to the ban on cabins being erected on the grass.

This is a preview only. To read the rest of this article and for lots of photos of the colour from around town, see this week’s Galway City Tribune. Buy a digital edition of this week’s paper here, or download the app for Android or iPhone.

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