Watch: Limerick man's three miles of cable and 140,000 Christmas lights raise money for charities
On Famous Christmas Swept And When Aside / Walsh Noonan Doubts Photo: Focus Domnick Tony Being Ltd Underway His Lights Are Festive About Well Switches Truly Eye Any Charity
West Limerick is currently all aglow with festive cheer, as one hard-working resident has once again hit the switch on some seasonal magic — and all for a good cause.
For the past 25 years, Tony Noonan has bedecked his home and the surrounding countryside, at Tullig North, Templeglantine, with an incredible arrangement of Christmas lights — which some claim is the best in the land.
Cables, measuring about three miles, are unspooled by Tony to carry a vast array of Christmas theme illuminations speckled with an estimated 140,000 coloured bulbs.
As well as brightening up the entire area, Tony's Christmas routine has over the years raised in excess of €400,000 for a range of charities. This year charities in Limerick, Cork, and Kerry will be the main beneficiaries.
Tony, 68, said: "I start unspooling the cable in September and remove all the lights from their packaging. I worked for Barry's Tea of Cork for over 30 years and I had a shed where I stored stuff when I was working at the back of the house. I now use it to store all the lighting material.
His display has twice won Tony a national award for the best lit-up residence at Christmas. Tony said the prize money of €10,000 all went into the charity fund.
"The electricity bill for the lighting over seven weeks comes to about €1,500 and this is paid for by a number of my sponsors who have been supporting the Christmas lights fund for many years," he said.
Tony has to comply with all regulations relating to the electrical network which he sets up.
Limerick hurling goalkeeper Nicky Quaid officially turned on the lights.
Tony said: "NIcky has been a great friend to us, he always draws a great crowd for the official turning on of the lights. In order to avoid unnecessary traffic issues on the country road on Tullig North we have visiting times restricted from 6pm to 10pm.
"The people around here are very considerate, but I don't want to have traffic coming and going at all hours. Up to 10,000 will call to see the lights over the Christmas period.
"People are very generous and every penny is accounted for and lodged with the AIB in Abbeyfeale, and then distributed to the nominated charities.
"It has been great to give funding to the Brother of Charity day centre in Foynes, where my daughter, Siobhan, who has special needs has been attending for years. My wife Hannah and I are very grateful for the wonderful work they do.
"So what I do here at Christmas time is a gesture of our gratitude to all the charities who do such marvelous work for families. Last year we raised €30,000 and hopefully we'll do just as well this year for our chosen charities: Milford Care Centre in Limerick, Recovery Haven in Tralee and Sli Eile a mental health service based in Churchtown, Co Cork."