If you haven’t made in to Dublin city yet to check out Winter Lights Dublin, don’t worry, there’s still time! This festive event by Dublin City Council runs until New Year’s Day. So if you’ve been avoiding the pre-Christmas madness of the city, you can head in between Christmas and New Year and enjoy the lights when it’s marginally less crazy.
It’s only the second year that Winter Lights Dublin has been up and running and it definitely brings an extra touch of festive magic to the city. I recently ventured into town to see the lights and try get some photos.
It turned out to be a bit of a miserable rainy evening, so we didn’t quite get to as many of the locations as we had hoped. On the upside, that was the perfect excuse for a few festive drinks between locations. Just to avoid the rain of course!
City Hall
Hugh Lane Gallery
Christmas pints!
Winter Lights Dublin Locations
Building on the success of last year, Winter Lights Dublin now includes two new locations, Christ Church Cathedral and Smithfield Square. Illuminated buildings included in this years display are Dublin City Hall, the Civic Offices, the Custom House, the GPO, Hugh Lane Gallery, the Mansion House, Trinity College and the Covanta Dublin Waste to Energy Plant at Poolbeg.
You’d definitely clock up quite a few steps if you attempted to see them all in one day! Fortunately most of the locations are right in the heart of the city, so if you’re in town for any reason it’s likely you’ll pass by a few on your travels.
In addition to the illuminated buildings, enhanced Christmas lighting has been installed along O’Connell Street, Parliament Street, the Millennium Bridge and Samuel Beckett bridge.
Millennium Bridge
Samuel Beckett Bridge
The Millennium Bridge was definitely a popular selfie spot. There were so many people stopping all along it trying to get their shot. It seems we’re all mad for bright lights and a bit of colour!
I was excited to check out Christchurch Cathedral, one of the new additions. When we arrived we saw there was just one part of the building illuminated with a Christmas wreath. Don’t get me wrong, it is really lovely. I guess I was just imaging the facade being fully illuminated like the other buildings.
However, on New Year’s Eve it seems the projection is set to transform from a 2D illumination into a 3D display. So watch out for that if you’re heading into the city to celebrate.
Winter Lights Dublin at a glance
When: the Winter Lights illuminations will continue until New Year’s Day
Times: daily from sunset until 2am
Locations:
- Christchurch Cathedral
- Civic Offices
- City Hall
- Parliament Street
- Trinity College
- Millennium Bridge
- Smithfield Square
- O’Connell Street
- The GPO
- Hugh Lane Gallery
- The Mansion House
- The Custom House
- Samuel Beckett Bridge
- Covanta Dublin Waste to Energy Plant.
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