Christmas Lights being switched on across Kilkenny and Carlow this evening

Lights will be switched on across the two counties this evening to announce the official start of the festive season.

Kilkenny’s Mayor Andrew McGuinness and the Mayor of Kilkenny Minnesota Kevin Taffee will turn them on in the Marble city from the Parade at 4 o’clock.

In Graiguenmanagh Minister Ann Phelan will flip the switch at half past five.

The town has been decked out in green, red and gold for the festive season.

And the council has saved the day in Carlow as fears that a lack of cash would bring a sense of bah humbug to the town.

The local authority has provided 20 thousand euro to fund lights which will be switched on at 5 o’clock at the Liberty Tree in the Potatoe Market.