The festive lights went on down Dublin's Henry Street today as RTÉ presenter Miriam O¿Callaghan performed the switching-on ceremony.
Ms O¿Callaghan took part in the official Big Switch ceremony this afternoon with Jamie, her three-year-old son, as LED energy-efficient lights stretching 1.5km from Amiens Street to Capel Street came on.
The lighting was provided by the Dublin City Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with the retailers, restaurants and businesses on Henry Street, and Bord Gáis Energy are supplying the electricity for the display this year.
Speaking at the event, Richard Guiney, CEO of Dublin City BID said: ¿I would encourage young and old to come in and experience the city this Christmas - relive a childhood memory or create a new Dublin City Christmas memory with your own children.¿
The Dublin City BID has also provided financial support so a number of new streets will receive Christmas lights for the first time - Drury Street, Cathedral Street, Coppinger Row, Capel Street, South King Street and Moore Street.
The Dublin City BID and Henry Street businesses are also supporting the ISPCC this Christmas.