Hopes for fireworks display at Halloween

Hopes for fireworks display at Halloween

16 September 2020

AN ambitious plan to ensure that Newcastle’s Halloween fireworks display isn’t a damp squib this year is being explored by Newry, Mourne and Down Council officials.

The annual Hallowtides event – which attracts thousands of people to the resort — will not take place in October as a result of coronavirus restrictions. In addition, the traditional fancy dress parade from the top of the town to the promenade has also been cancelled.

However, Mournes councillor Willie Clarke has come up with an idea to ensure that the fireworks display can still go ahead with a bang.

He has asked council officials to explore the feasibility of relocating the fireworks display to Donard Park to allow families to sit in their cars to watch the spectacular display spark into life.

Cllr Clarke made his proposal at Monday night’s meeting of the local authority’s Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism Committee which council officials are currently examining.

“Coronavirus restrictions and social distancing measures mean it is impossible for the traditional fireworks display to take place in Newcastle where thousands of people gather on the promenade, but that does not mean that we should not explore alternatives,” said Cllr Clarke, whose idea has secured support from his colleagues.

“Donard Park is big enough to hold a significant number of cars which would allow families to park up to watch the display,” he continued.

“In addition, those who live in houses close to the park or in the hills which overlook it could also be able to get a bird’s eye view of the display.”

Cllr Clarke hopes that switching the fireworks display to Donard Park is possible and that is proposal will get the green light from council officials.

He said while there are obvious health and safety issues associated with a fireworks display, he hopes these can be satisfactorily addressed given the size of Donard Park.

He hopes that if the display is temporarily moved to Donard Park, it will return to is traditional setting next year.

He added: “For people who may not get to Donard Park if the fireworks display does go ahead there, perhaps it could be livestreamed or recorded and placed on the council website for people to view.”