Proof is in pudding as Christmas lights brighten up capital
JUST when we thought it really was time to pack the bags and leave the country, someone started switching on the lights again.
Actually, it was just the Lord Mayor of Dublin Gerry Breen turning on the Christmas tree lights on O'Connell Street yesterday evening but it was something cheery given the circumstances.
On a cold, dank November night, hundreds of people gathered around the GPO to listen to carols sung by St Andrew's Choir.
Mothers waltzed with their toddlers and dads hoisted children up on their shoulders while the bigger ones waved balloons and neon wands in time to the music.
Onlookers seemed to get into the spirit of it all and just enjoyed the show. After all, it was free.
There were stilt walkers and face painters and a skating Christmas tree. Two female acrobats hoisted themselves up on silk ropes, high above the crowd, and twisted and swivelled, and came just close enough to tumbling down to the pavement below to keep everyone interested until the 3D projection show got under way.
Suddenly giant snowflakes began drifting down the wall of the GPO and each window beamed out different coloured lights.
At one point, onlookers had the impression that the side wall of the historic building had exploded but it turned out to be a giant Christmas pudding.
And the vibrations you could feel under your feet were not shockwaves from a violent revolt but just reverberations from the powerful musical accompaniment.
Earlier, sporting heroes Derval O'Rourke and Bernard Dunne turned on the Christmas lights on Grafton Street and Henry Street.
There was no sign of any political bigwigs from the Dail, unsurprisingly.
'Tiny Tim' was on hand to help the mayor flick the switch. Cllr Breen said he couldn't see his notes so he would just have to "wing it" but he hoped everyone would come into the city centre and "have a ball".
- Grainne Cunningham
Irish Independent
