Dublin’s dazzling Winter Lights displays have been officially switched on for the month of December.
Locations all over the city centre have been transformed with colourful projections and lighting displays, including for the first time, Bank of Ireland College Green and the Central Plaza.

Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daithi de Roiste, said: “As the dark winter nights close in, the Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights illuminate the city centre each December.

“This year promises to be even better than before and I’m really looking forward to seeing the full programme of locations.

“I know the projections and illuminations have been worked on by some of the best artists from Ireland and around the globe. So come on into town in December and enjoy seeing the city in all its sparkling glory!”

Simon Clarke, from Dublin City Council’s Events section, added: “To reduce our carbon footprint even more, no generators will be used on the streets of Dublin to power projectors.

“The power used to light the GPO is comparable to that used in six kettles; a domestic iron uses the same power as we’re using on the Central Plaza projections; the power used to light the Bank of Ireland projections is the equivalent use of two domestic ovens.

“All the projections and installations in Merrion Square Park will be powered using hydrotreated vegetable oil and localised battery storage which will charge during off-peak hours.”

The colourful Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights can be seen throughout December
The colourful Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights can be seen throughout December

Locations include the Spire, the GPO, O’Connell Street, the Custom House, Samuel Beckett Bridge, Trinity College, Bank of Ireland College Green, Central Plaza, Ha’penny Bridge, Millennium Bridge, Barnardo Square /City Hall, Mansion House, and Merrion Square Park.

Monuments also lighting up include the O’Connell Monument, Jim Larkin, William Smith O’Brien, Sir John Gray, Fr Mathew Monument, Thomas Davis and Henry Grattan.

Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights at Merrion Square Park has also officially opened today. Tickets are €2 euro per adult with each one admitting two children.

Entry will start from 5pm each evening, with the last admissions at 9pm. Viewings from 5pm to 5.30pm on Friday and Saturday, and Sunday evenings will be reserved for Relaxed Viewing Tickets.

This time slot is designed to welcome people who will benefit from a more relaxed environment. There will be no music played, people will have more space to move around and there will be a designated sensory unit away from the lights and sounds.

A Children’s Art Competition for Primary School Children also took place as part of Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights. Over 370 artworks were received and every artwork will be projected onto Barnardo Square beside Dublin Castle.[