11 November 2016
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Organised by Cork City Council, the countdown to Christmas has truly begun with the announcement that the switching on of the Cork City Christmas Lights will take place on Patrick’s Street on Sunday November 13th. Cork’s most famous brothers, Olympic rowing heroes Gary and Paul O’Donovan will switch on the Christmas Lights with the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Des Cahill and the event is expected to attract large crowds.
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Des Cahill said “We are delighted to have the O’Donovan Brothers lighting up the Christmas Lights like they light up the Olympics”
Paul and Gary O’Donovan who are Olympic Lightweight Double Schulls Silver Medalists and European Champions in Lightweight Double Schulls captured the hearts of the nation at the Rio Olympics where they won Ireland’s first ever Olympic Medal in rowing. The brothers who are from Skibbereen said
‘Following what has been a rollercoaster few months, we are delighted to help kick-off the Christmas season in Cork City. Hopefully Santa can fit a few oars down the chimneys next month! Thank you for all your magnificent support – Happy Christmas to one and all!
Beginning at 6.30pm on Patrick’s Street with music from the Academy of Popular Music, the official switch on takes place at approx. 7.15pm with rumours of a special guest appearance by Santa Claus. See www.corkchristmascelebration.ie for details on parking in the city and park and ride.
The switching on of the Christmas Lights will kick start the city’s seasonal celebrations and a big promotional drive by Cork City Council and the Cork Business Association to encourage people to come into the city centre and to shop locally in the lead up to Christmas.
Cork will be transformed into a festive wonderland with the opening of GLOW, A Cork Christmas on the Grand Parade on November 25th which will run for four weekends in the build up to Christmas.
Presented by Cork City Council: enjoying the Switching on of the Christmas Lights 2016 and the start of the festive season in Cork
Pic Darragh Kane
