14,000 lights turn house into Christmas beacon
Draped with more than 14,000 festive lights, the three-bedroomed semi glows in the night sky.
He has strung nearly a mile of lighting along the roof, walls, and through the gardens, transforming his home at Cragaune, Fr Russell Road in the Raheen suburb, into a winter wonderland.
John was joined by his wife, Carmel and their three children, John 12, David 11 and James 11 for the grand turning on last night. John, a 35-year-old coach driver, said: “It took me almost 10 full working days to put up the lighting.
“I have been doing it for the past six years and built up my collection of Christmas illuminations over the years. It is now a Christmas ritual and we put them up during the last week of November every year.”
John estimates that the lighting will add about €400 to his ESB bill over the Christmas.
“But he says it’s well worth the pleasure they get from seeing the lights add to the festive spirit.
He said: “We turn them on every night from about 5pm to midnight and they are a major attraction.
“We have people driving up to the estate to look at them.
“Children get a great kick from seeing them.”
He said when he grew up in Kerry his family always put a light in the window at Christmas, and he was continuing the tradition, albeit on a far grander scale.
John said: “I buy the lights in Limerick and I must have spent over €3,000 to date on the display.”
The lights come down on January 2 and are stored away in the attic.
