Change of venue for Jedward in Navan

The venue for Saturday's eagerly anticipated performance by pop duo Jedward, which was due to take place at Market Square, has been changed to Kennedy Place. Jedward had been due to offically open the Market Square and Watergate Street Enhancement Scheme, but the inclement weather over the past two weeks has meant that works could not be completed in advance of Saturday. Navan Town Council has changed the venue to Kennedy Place and Jedward will instead turn on the Christmas lights as part of the town council's 'Navan Has The X-Mas Factor' Christmas campaign. Town Clerk Shane Donnelly said: “The weather conditions mean that work won't be fully finished. There is paving to complete. We tried to do work last week but it was physicially impossible to finish it as the area was snowed over. We have now moved the venue to Kennedy Place.†It is hoped that the final works at Market Square can be finished early in the New Year. The erection of the controversial bull sculpture that was due to be undertaken today (Wednesday) has also been postponed. As well as the weather conditions, it is understood that the sculptor suffered a family bereavement and some minor works required before delivery of the sculpture could not be completed. Navan Town Council's Christmas Tree, usually situated at Market Square, will be located at Kennedy Place and the town council has also undertaken a small lighting scheme in the area to bring life and atmosphere to Kennedy Place. Jedward will turn on the Christmas lights and also launch the town council's 'Think Local, Shop Local, Stay Local' campaign. Kennedy Place will be closed for car parking from 8am on Saturday morning until 1.30pm. A mobile stage will be erected and 2FM DJ Damien Farrelly will get the entertainment underway from 10.30am. Jedward will arrive at 11am and will meet and greet the crowd before performing five songs. They will proceed to turn on the Christmas lights along with Mayor Cllr Phil Brennan. “This is Navan Town Council's Christmas present to the people of Navan and we are asking everyone to get behind this initiative which is expected to attract a huge crowd to the centre of our town. Jedward will be appearing from 11am to 12.30pm on the day. In the current difficult times we all face, Jedward's appearance will spread a little joy and happiness to the children and families of Navan,†said Mr Donnelly. He added that the performance is the start of the council's 'Navan Has The X-Mas Factor' Christmas campaign, where a number of initiatives are proposed, including free parking in all on-street and public car parks operated by Navan Town Council on Saturday 11th December and from 18th to 24th December inclusive (from 11am to 6pm); Christmas carol singing, a spectacular Christmas tree, a Christmas market event during Christmas week and performances by local bands.