Dundrum to light up for Xmas with £3k boost for Main Street

Dundrum to light up for Xmas with £3k boost for Main Street

25 May 2022

CHRISTMAS has come early for Dundrum after the village was included in Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s festive lighting programme.

The local authority is adding £3,000 to its festive lighting budget to cover the cost of 24 pole illuminations along Main Street.

The green light for the new funding came at last week’s meeting of the local authority’s Neighbourhood Services Committee when councillors discussed a report from the Christmas illuminations and celebrations group.

The group was set up to agree how the local authority would help communities across the district celebrate the festive season, with all its recommendations forwarded to the Neighbourhood Services Committee for approval.

The Dundrum group contacted the council last year seeking financial support for an illuminated Christmas pole display, with 24 of them provided and the Association meeting the cost of their installation along Main Street.

Earlier this month, council officials met with group representatives and Slieve Croob councillors, with part of the discussions focused on festive displays, with the Development Association asking to be provided with the pole displays this Christmas and the local authority meeting the costs of their erection.

It was also confirmed at last week’s meeting that the cost of buying 24 new pole lighting displays would be in the region of £10,000, with the cost financed the local authority’s capital programme.

The Dundrum Village Association was also commended at the Neighbourhood Services Committee for its pro-active approach on the issue.

Slieve Croob councillor Andrew McMurray praised the Association for its efforts over a number of years to secure the festive illuminations.

“The Association should be commended for its approach to the council on this matter. I would like to thank the council officers for their engagement,” he said.

“They presented themselves and knew what they wanted and how it could be done for. I can’t help but smile at the thought of a display of the Grinch lighting up this Christmas.”

In addition to Dundrum, it has been confirmed that 10 new festive street lighting displays will be purchased for Irish Street in Downpatrick.

The decision to provide £3,000 to the Dundrum Village  Association for festive lighting and to purchase new lights for Irish Street is expected to formally endorsed by the full council when it meets next month.