Santa turns on Christmas lights in Portlaoise 

Huge crowds turned up in Portlaoise, last night to watch Santa Claus turn on the Christmas lights in the town. MC for the evening Jack Nolan introduced the main man, who despite his busy schedule, had kiddies and adults cheering and buzzing with excitement as the countdown to the big moment began. Photographer Renata Metelicka was in Portlaoise to capture the atmosphere for the Laois Nationalist. See more photos from this event in a forthcoming edition of the Laois Nationalist Nationalist newspaper.