Lighting up for homelessness

A Bailieborough family is on a mission to spread Christmas cheer to the masses and raise funds for the homeless through their fantastic display of lights, writes Michelle Taite...

‘Candy Cane Lane’ was put together by Valerie and Robert O’Brien who spent the past four weekends creating the festive light show to raise money for Sleep Out Cavan.

“We always made a bit of an effort lighting up the front,” says Valerie, speaking about the extravagant display outside their home.

“For the last couple of years, with the homelessness being the way it was, we decided we’d do it for charity.”

“I think the homeless crisis is very upsetting, and it was for the homeless. I started following Sleep Out Cavan on Facebook and I saw the work that they did, that’s why we went to them. I like the Christmas end of things so it’s a light up for a cause.”

So, the couple put up their lights as usual at their Highfield estate home, leaving a box for donations at the road, encouraging spectators to donate to the worthy cause.

“Last year when we did it for Sleep Out Cavan, we made €1,000 between online donations and a little box we have outside,” revealed Valerie.

The O’Briens’ home lights up every colour of the rainbow each night. Their lawn is festooned with figurines including Santa Claus, reindeer, snowmen and much more. Many trees across their property have been illuminated with an array of lights, while a beautiful red sleigh takes centre stage on their lawn.

The display was assembled over the past month and was very much a team effort as their children Aaron, Samantha, Wendy and son-in-law Ciaran all helped out.

“They’re the ones who would give me a dig out. We all live in the same estate, they’re always up in our house and we help put up their lights as well,” continued Samantha. “They don’t have as much as we have but give them a few years!”

At a time when many homes across the country are reducing their electricity consumption, the O’Brien family have resisted the urge, refusing to let the cost-of-living crisis dampen the joy they spread during their favourite time of year.

“I try not to worry about it, I love Christmas, Robert loves Christmas, all the family are the same, that’s just what we do.”

Valerie admitted to having no idea how many lights are on her home in total, however she is sure the number is in the thousands.

“On one tree, the tall tree which we got made by a steelwork crowd, we call it the tree of hope, there’s 4,500 lights. I couldn’t give you an idea, there’s thousands.”

Their decorated home has been a popular destination for the public through the years, who have been travelling from far and wide to witness the spectacle. However, following the pandemic, things have changed somewhat.

“It was sad because we didn’t have people coming up to the house. I used to have candy canes there for the kids and if I saw them outside, I’d go out and give them a candy cane.”

Valerie and Roberts’ neighbours have been most supportive of their annual display with this year being no exception. “The neighbours all love it. I think they think I’m mad but they all love it though, nobody has complained.

“Next door to me is an elderly woman and she loves it, she loves seeing all the kids coming out. She’d come out, obviously not in this weather, but she would come out to the kids.”

Young people in the area also enjoy the decorations, and are often spotted sitting in the sleigh out front, taking pictures and making TikToks to share with friends.

Anyone interested in donating to Candy Cane Lane’s fundraiser for Sleep Out Cavan can do so via the idonate page. Donations will close on January 10, 2023.