“Don’t be cross, uncle!” said the nephew. “What else can I be,” returned Ebenezer Scrooge, “when I live in such a world of fools as this? Merry Christmas! What’s Christmas time to you, but a time for paying bills without money.
[Extract from “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens]
Regular readers will be aware of the recently announced generous ‘initiative’ by Tipperary County Council with regards to their gift of free Xmas parking for Thurles Traders, using the comedy line, “designed to promote local trade and to encourage support for Town Traders. To refresh your memory, Click here.
So how are other County Councils, elsewhere in Ireland, gifting local town traders with free parking this Christmas?
Cavan and Monaghan Co. Councils released details of their 2019 Christmas Parking on December 4th 2019. View HERE.
Areas in both counties will have free parking available from the 9th of December, with some exceptions on certain days.
Free parking will be available in Cavan Town in the multi-storey car park from the 9th to the 24th of December.
However, on Sunday the 15th and 22nd free parking is only available in the multi- storey between 12 noon and 6pm and on Christmas Eve between 8am and 6pm.
For all other car parks in the town, charges will apply until the 14th of December, but will then be free until New Year’s Day without exception.
There’s Free parking in Bray Town Centre every weekend from October to December.
Great news there’s free parking in Bray Town Centre every weekend from October right through to December after 11am at the Florence Road and Herbert Road Car Parks.
Parking arrangements for Wicklow Town have been confirmed for this Christmas, while a Best Dressed Shop Window competition will also take place.
Shoppers will enjoy two hours of free Christmas parking in all Pay and Display Parking areas in Wicklow Town from Monday, December 2 2019, to Wednesday, January 1 2020, inclusive.
Car Parking in Naas is suspended during the Christmas Period in Kildare County Council car parks (i.e. New Row car park, Fairgreen car park, Abbey Street car park, Boyle’s car park and Hedermans car park) where there will be free parking from 9.30am on Sunday 1st December 2019 to Saturday 29th December inclusive.
Galway County Council is bringing in free parking in seven towns throughout the county for the month of December.
On and off-street parking controlled by the county council in Ballinasloe, Loughrea, Tuam, Clifden, Cleggan, Athenry, and Gort will be free of charge over the Christmas period.
“This is to facilitate and encourage footfall in the regional towns during the Christmas shopping period,” a statement from the county council said.
This initiative will be in effect from Sunday, November 30, and remain in place throughout the month of December.
According to KCLR Radio: Three Carlow Town car parks will once again be free to use for Christmas shoppers this year.
The council has revealed the parking arrangements for the festive period which will see the Town Hall, Green Bank Road, and Visual car parks all free to use from this coming Saturday 23rd of November until the 6th of January. All other Pay and Display zones will have free parking from 9.30am to 12noon and from 3.30pm to 6.30pm every day.
It’s all part of their efforts to encourage more people to shop local.
I can hear Thurles Town Traders wailing, above the loud snoring of Thurles Chamber of Commerce and Templemore / Thurles Municipal District’s powerless Councillors.
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