SCARIFF is among the growing list of towns nationwide who have decided to leave festive public lighting in place over the dark days of January.

The idea was mooted last week by members of the County Roscommon community of Elphin, and Scariff Community Council has responded to the call by deciding to leave the Christmas Tree lit up until the end of this month.

Councillor Valerie Byrne, from Elphin, said up to 100 towns all over Ireland have already joined the movement to keep the festive cheer going for as long as possible in the face of the third wave of the pandemic.

To-date, towns and village in Roscommon, Mayo, Kildare and Clare are taking part and Christmas lights will also stay on in Ennis until the end of January.

Scariff Community Council said in a Facebook post, that “with the festive period cut short due to Level 5 restrictions, the lights are hoped to lift spirits and guide locals through the coming weeks”.