’Tis the season for houses to light up the dark

Christmas bells peal out into the winter dark while angels rub shoulders with Santa Claus in a blaze of light on the roofs of houses going that extra festive mile for charitable causes.

The lights may be spectacular, but they are not just mere seasonal eye candy —they’ve raised thousand for charity in the past few years.

The official switching-on takes place at the home of Neilus and Margaret Lehane in Knockavilla, near Crossbarry in Cork, on Sunday at 5pm.