Over the past few months, the Mullingar Chamber office has been busy preparing for the festive season. Despite their very best efforts, they have been unable to secure viable insurance and amenity delivery of Ice Skating in Mullingar this Christmas. This issue arises for a number of reasons, primarily the increase in fuel costs and secondarily the incredible cost of insurance for this event. Having considered all alternatives and options, they are unable to open Mullingar Ice Rink this Christmas however they do have plans for the festive season.
Christmas Lights
The turning on of the Christmas lights will be on Friday 2nd December at 5.30pm on the Market Square, Mullingar. This will be done this year by Rose of Tralee winner Rachel Duffy. There will be music, fun and Brew 42 Coffee Box will be there selling some lovely coffee and treats. They are encouraging everyone to get in the festive spirit and wear their Christmas jumpers and hats.
Christmas Markets
The 2022 Christmas Markets & Santa Grotto are being held in association with the Railway Market Team and will be held on Saturdays and Sundays 26th and 27th November, 3rd and 4th December, 10th and 11th December and 17th and 18th December. The grand opening of the market is on Saturday November 26th at 11am (until 6pm), and it continues on Sunday November 27th, 11am to 3pm.
At the opening on Saturday 26th November there will be a parade at 10.45am, from Expert Electrical to the Band Hall, led by Mullingar Town Band with Santa and the Christmas Fairies. Also, the Christmas Fairies will appear at the Christmas Market on Saturday November 26th at 11am. They will arrive with Santa and cut the ribbon, opening the four weekend Christmas markets and Santa grotto. There will be a huge variety of stalls and entertainment, including Christmas food and baked goods, Christmas crafts and handmade gifts, Christmas trees, plus music, song and dance. The Eircode for this is N91 YY96. For enquiries on market stalls please email Patricia at marketmullingar@gmail.com.
Drive-In Cinema
Mullingar Chamber and Lis Café/Apache Pizza Mullingar will be hosting a Drive-In Cinema at Tudenham, Lough Ennell. Dates are 3rd, 4th, 9th, 10th, 16th and 17th December. Movies include Home Alone 1 & 2, Jack Frost, Bing Crosby’s White Christmas, The Polar Express and The Santa Clause. Booking will be opened in the coming days on Mullingar.ie through EventBrite. This is an event not to be missed, minimum capacity available so book early! Booking will be online only. You will also be able to pre-order your Apache Pizza right to your car.
*event is subject to licence.
Instagramable features
Adding to the success of Niall Horan’s mural, Umbrellas and wings at Meeting House Lane, Mullingar Chamber will be creating more instagramable features in town including the Market Square and on the side street at Daly’s Bar. They will be working local artist Beata Pietrzak Art on some Christmas art projects. Watch out for these over the coming weeks.
Event Guide
The Mullingar Chamber and Mullingar.ie team are working on an Events Guide which will also have a treasure hunt, similar to last year, and promote all the activities happening in town and district including the Christmas Panto in the Arts Centre and The Land of Lights at Belvedere. They are also creating a schedule of events for the Market Square and other locations in town. View our Guide here. If you are a school or a group and would like to be involved, please email office@mullingarchamber.ie
Retail Promotions – Local legend Ray Dolan will work with the Mullingar Chamber Team on Retail Promotions and are asking businesses to get in contact if they would like to showcase their gifts on Ray’s social media Channels and Mullingar.ie during the festive period.
Mullingar Gift Vouchers – Mullingar Chamber sell over €300,000 worth of vouchers each year to individuals and businesses looking to give their staff a tax-free bonus, usually at Christmas. This year’s budget seen an increase in the tax-free bonus allowance to €1,000 and it is expected voucher sales would be much higher than previous years. The Vouchers are accepted in 110 businesses in Mullingar and surrounding areas where you can purchase everything from Petrol & Clothes to Pet Accessories & Food and much more in between. Mullingar Chamber charge retailers 1.5% redemption fee which is much lower than some other large voucher redeemers which sees them charge up to 10%! You are urged to do your research on vouchers before purchasing for staff this year. Find out more about the vouchers at mullingarchamber.ie and keep your money in Mullingar.
Mullingar Chamber are looking to make this Christmas all about the community and would like everyone to be involved. If you have any thoughts or would like to be involved through being a stall holder, sponsor, performer or otherwise please email office@mullingarchamber.ie.
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