Renewed calls are being made for Armagh’s Christmas lights to be extended further out of the city centre, with concerns that some areas are once again being “left in the dark” ahead of the festive season.
A local online community group has written to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, urging it to restore and expand festive lighting along routes which, they say, “used to be lovely” to drive into at Christmas.
Orla Kelly, of the Armagh Community Hub, highlighted the Moy Road roundabout, Railway Street, Loughgall Road, Banbrook and the stretch towards the Harps GFC grounds as areas that were previously lit up but, last year, appeared to be largely without decorations.
She claims the lighting “seemed to stop at Shapla”, leaving large residential and commercial areas on the outskirts without any visible festive display.
In an email sent to ABC Council on Monday, Orla set out what she saw as the wider importance of Christmas lights and decorations, arguing that it is about much more than appearance.
Shared public spaces “adorned with festive lights” create a sense of belonging and togetherness, Orla argue, and should not be confined to the central streets alone.
Orla says she is also seeking clarity on whether the areas she has listed will be included.
The latest move comes a year after similar frustration from traders and residents in and around Lower English Street, Railway Street and as far as the Moy Road, who felt they were being overlooked in the seasonal plans.
Last Christmas, barber Mark McSherry publicly criticised what he described as “shocking” gaps in the city’s festive display, saying there was “nowt” from the Shambles roundabout to the busy Moy Road entrance, and that parts of the Keady Road side of the city were little better.
He argued that Armagh needed fresh investment and a more modern, welcoming approach to encourage people to stop, shop and spend time in the city, warning that too many people were simply driving through.
Following that outcry, Sinn Féin councillor Sarah Duffy announced she had secured additional Christmas lighting for the west of Armagh, with festive features to be erected in the Shambles area and at Tom O’Kane’s roundabout, along with repairs to existing lights at the Shambles Yard.
At the time, Cllr Duffy said the move was aimed at ensuring residents in the west of the city were “fully included” in the seasonal celebrations, after concerns that the area had been missed in previous plans.
This year’s community-led campaign suggests that many locals still feel more needs to be done right across Armagh’s approach roads and neighbourhoods to ensure no part of the city is left feeling forgotten when the lights go on.
