The Lord Mayor of Dublin said the city needs some Christmas cheer as he welcomed the return of the live animal crib to the Mansion House.
Lord Mayor Daithí de Róiste and Tim Cullinan, President of the Irish Farmers Association, officially launched this year’s crib which was controversially removed last year.
The crib was blessed by Rev Paul Arbuthnot, St Anne’s Church, Dawson Street and Fr Enda Cunningham, St Andrew’s Church, Westland Row.
“When I was elected Lord Mayor on June 26, by far the most asked question I’ve had is, ‘Are you bringing back the crib?’ The second one is, ‘Are you the president?’ and the third is, ‘Are you a rapper?’
“To bring Christmas cheer to the city after the events of two weeks ago, we need it.
“Dublin is a fantastic community of people with a huge spirit. We identify as Dubliners, coming together and supporting our city during times like this is so important.
“This is open for the people of Dublin to come and enjoy over the next number of weeks. For the first time ever, we’ve a wheelchair accessible sleigh.
“If anyone needs a quiet space, we have a sensory room. We’ll have Christmas tunes playing, lots of choirs are lined up for the next couple of weeks.
“We were delighted when we reached out to the IFA that they wanted to come back. Tradition is such an important aspect of Christmas
“For many Dubliners, including myself, the Mansion House live animal crib was always a huge part of that. I’m delighted it’s back again this year. I know that the farmers always take great care of the animals,” he added.
IFA President Tim Cullinan explained that the live crib has been a “wonderful tradition” in the run-up to Christmas for the people of Dublin, and visitors to the capital.
“It’s a gift from the farmers of Ireland that creates a traditional nativity scene on the forecourt of the Mansion House,” he said.
“This has been a tradition that started back in the nineties. It’s to give people who mightn’t have the opportunity to get up and close with farm animals the chance to see them here.”
Mary Barr, from Lucan, was there to support the Lucan Gospel Choir at the launch of the crib.
“I know the Gospel Choir. We’re heading to the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre on Saturday. We’re in Powerscourt tomorrow evening, it’s all for charity,” she said.
“It’s good for the soul, the mayhem and the craic as well is great. They’re a great bunch of people.
“They look forward to Christmas every year, they do mass in our local church too maybe once a month. Kids love them, especially the song This Little Light of Mine,” she added.
The Live Animal Crib is a joint initiative between Dublin City Council and the Irish Farmers Association and is supported by the DSPCA.
The crib will be open to the public from 11am to 5pm daily until Saturday, December 23, and Christmas Eve from 11am to 1pm.