Little heroes light up Mary Street as Dublin's Christmas season begins

"The honour of switching on the dazzling Dublin Town Christmas lights went to Little Blue Heroes Foundation representatives Darcie Gavin (8) and Liam Tomney (7), both from Tallaght, who lit up the street with a single press of the "magic button". The Foundation, a Garda charity, supports families of children with serious illnesses while empowering young people through community engagement."

""There is nowhere quite like Dublin City centre at Christmas," said Dublin Town CEO, Richard Guiney. "The Dublin Town Christmas lights are by far the biggest task we undertake for our business members, and people of the city, and beyond, each year." It takes a team of 30 people, working through the night over four weeks, to erect the intricate displays."

"Each fixture and bulb is tested in advance, part of a mammoth effort that sees energy-efficient LED lights brighten 24 streets across the city centre this year. "The lights bring the sense of Christmas to the city centre and thousands take selfies beneath the iconic displays," Mr Guiney said. "They are the major catalyst of the City centre Christmas buzz, as well as attracting footfall. "Shopping and socialising in Dublin City centre under the iconic Christmas lights is a key Christmas experience for many."

Little Blue Heroes Foundation representatives Darcie Gavin (8) and Liam Tomney (7) switched on the Dublin Town Christmas lights at Mary Street with a single press of the "magic button". The Foundation is a Garda charity supporting families of children with serious illnesses and empowering young people through community engagement. The lighting precedes installations at Grafton Street, Henry Street, South William Street, Capel Street and throughout the city centre, with energy-efficient LED displays across 24 streets. A team of 30 people worked through the night over four weeks to erect and test each fixture and bulb. Timers and LEDs keep the project sustainable while driving festive footfall.

Read at Irish Independent