Locals are dreaming of a light Christmas in Bath Avenue with Liam Tilley (left) once again decking his home with a dazzling display.

The idea for the lights came six years ago when Liam’s wife died and he was facing his first lonely Christmas without her. Instead of moping around Liam decided to decorate his house with an amazing array of Christmas lights and has done so every year since.

Over the years his collection of Christmas decorations has grown. Liam buys something different from a store in Lucan each year and as a regular Christmas customer he gets
a good deal. He watches the sales after Christmas too so that he can pick something up for the following season.

It takes Liam about five days to put the display together and his time working with the ESB helps him to ensure that everything is safe. Although he once frightened his daughter, Sinead, when she saw him up on the roof adjusting the wires– “At 71 he shouldn’t be taking risks like that,” she said, reminding us all that we should be careful when putting up the lights and decorations at Christmastime.

This year Liam has a wishing well and any money collected from passers-by will be donated to the Hospice in Harold’s Cross. There is also a singing Santa in the front garden which delights his ten grandchildren and attracts all the children in the area. People bring the children along and have their photos taken with Santa and Liam is only too pleased to welcome them.

Liam’s winter wonderland is on Bath Avenue at the corner of Bath Avenue Gardens and the lights are turned on every evening at 5 pm. He loves to see the children and their parents and is most grateful for any donations for the Hospice. Many thanks to Anne Marie for reminding us to include Liam’s wonderful display in our Christmas edition.

Pictured on left, Royalettes, dancers from the Theatre Royal, Dublin celebrate Christmas in the 1940s. See Braine Backstege - A Snapshot Of Dublin Theatrical Life In The 1940s