Fireworks offer festive fun in Fermoy this weekend

THE town of Fermoy is getting ready for a weekend of festive fireworks as the Christmas lights are being hung and shop windows decorated in advance of the official start of the yuletide season this weekend.

While Santa is due to arrive on the banks of the Blackwater at 6pm on Saturday evening, the town is also keen to welcome Special Olympics gold medallist Stephen O’Leary, captain of Ireland’s soccer team at the games in Berlin during the Summer, who will be switching on the Christmas lights.

Another highlight of Saturday evening will be the fireworks display, hosted by Fermoy GAA, which will light up the sky over the town making sure Santa can find his way back to the North Pole. The countdown is on for the launch of the pyrotechnic display which gets underway at 7pm.

County Cork mayor, Cllr Frank O’Flynn, was getting into the Christmas spirit, describing the festival as the ‘most wonderful time of the year’.

“Cork County Council is proud to be able to support the voluntary Christmas Lights Committee who do such a great job in making Fermoy town look even more beautiful at Christmas.

“We are also working with the amazing Avondhu Blackwater Partnership and bringing a festive Christmas Market to the town.” He urged townspeople and those from around the hinterland to make Fermoy part of their Christmas plans. Fermoy’s Christmas Market will be in Mill Island carpark and will open at noon on Saturday and run at weekends until Sunday, December 3.

The crafts and gifts available at the market will add to the wide range of Christmas shopping options available in Fermoy this Christmas.

Nearly 150 local business have made financial contributions to the towns Christmas Lights fundraising appeal.

The main sponsors, Synergy Credit Union in Fermoy, have supported this event for over 10 years.