Nearly 100 towns have joined a campaign to lift spirits by leaving Christmas street lights on

Over 100 towns have joined a campaign to leave Christmas street lights around Ireland in order to lift spirits in these uncertain times.

Started by Councillor Valerie Byrne in Elphin, Co. Roscommon, the national campaign is encouraging towns and villages to leave their Christmas street lights on until the end of January. Ten towns in Roscommon, Westport in Mayo, Newbridge in Kildare and dozens of smaller villages around the country have already signed up for the movement. Councillor Byrne said that "up to 100" towns had joined up, adding that "before Christmas there was great hope and optimism when the news of the Covid-19 vaccines arrived, but the third wave of the virus seemed to extinguish all that hope and we felt that something was badly needed at this stage to try and help improve morale and lift the spirits of people driving and walking through our towns. "We just thought that by leaving the lights on for another three weeks we could help to bridge the gap to the end of the restrictions and lift spirits. We are asking Christmas lights committees and volunteers in towns all over the country to join our campaign and keep their lights up and burning brightly so that we can all show that there is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel," Councillor Byrne said. (header pic: Shutterstock) READ NEXT: WATCH: Dogs Trust Ireland shares adorable video of playful pup enjoying the snow