Flicking switch on Clontarf lights

The award-winning Christmas lights on Long Street are back with another stunning display to be switched on this Saturday (November 30) at 7pm.

Michael Turnbull has again festooned his house at 1 Long St, Clontarf, with streams of lights, special features, projections and a snow machine.

Being “bigger and better than ever”, this display seems set to match previous years which drew around 10,000 visitors.

It may also add more awards to Michael's tally, having been third several times in the 4KQ Christmas Lights Competition residential section.

Last year he went one better, taking second in the KISS FM Christmas Lights competition residential section, and this year he topped the competition.

Michael has been a teacher at Redcliffe Special School for more than 20 years and uses an education philosophy for his lights.

“I believe kids learn through play, so by having a more play-based approach (to the Christmas lights) I hope to get kids get really into it,” he said.

“We have a life-sized Santa sleigh, which people like getting pictures in, a walk-through village, Santa projected onto a window and a snow machine.”

The snow machine, which points towards the street has, in previous years, has had more than 30 youngsters underneath it at any one time.

The Long Street lights will be on from 7-10pm every night from November 30 to December 24, inclusive, unless there is bad weather.