The future of Limerick’s proposed Christmas Fayre remains uncertain after a special council meeting had to be adjourned on Tuesday morning amid disagreements over the event’s proposed location.
METROPOLITAN District councillors were scheduled to vote on the event licence for the six-week Christmas market at the Crescent, but the public meeting was adjourned to allow for further private discussions.
The proposal, put forward by Mayor John Moran, would see the Crescent closed to traffic around the clock from November 16 until December 31. However, the plans have faced opposition from local traders, who have raised concerns about the impact of the closure on businesses during the crucial Christmas trading period.
Limerick Chamber has called for the market to be relocated, suggesting other locations around the city. Chief Economist and Director of Policy Sean Golden described the Fayre as “a great idea in and of itself, the challenge is the location.”
During this morning’s meeting, councillors heard a presentation from Brendan Troy, Head of Trade and Investment, before concerns were raised about the limited options available to members.
Councillor Elisa O’Donovan expressed frustration at the timing of the decision, saying she “resent[s] the fact that just 44 days from Christmas Eve we are being asked to make a decision in which nobody wins”.
O’Donovan said she would abstain from the vote, adding: “I will not allow the responsibility of this decision to be placed on my shoulders when I’d no part in creating it.”
Councillor Shane Hickey-O’Mara acknowledged that there was “a lot of good in this plan”, but also indicated he would abstain, expressing concern over the lack of flexibility in the options presented.
Councillor Ursula Gavan called for a decision to be made, telling members: “This room is about making a decision.” She also warned that the council was becoming “a laughing stock” amid the continued uncertainty surrounding the plans.
Councillor Daniel Butler challenged the notion that the proposed location could not be changed, arguing that the council had the remit to select an alternative venue.
Butler said there was a choice available to councillors and that anyone who disagreed with a decision to change the location would have to take the council to court, asking “Who wants to take Christmas to court?”
Mayor Moran had urged councillors to approve the licence, warning that rejecting it would mean cancelling the wider Christmas programme. He cited the Director General’s report, which found that 225 of 284 valid submissions were supportive of the programme.
The wider programme includes the ice rink at Arthur’s Quay, the Christmas train, festive city trail and a Santa experience at King John’s Castle.