Winter Lights turns Dublin into a magical Eden (PHOTO)

Winter Lights Dublin takes place in 14 locations.

Winter Lights Dublin, an event that changes the city into a winter wonderland with Christmas lighting installations, has returned to Ireland’s capital for the second time after great success in 2018.

The festive event began on December 1 and will end on the first day of 2020. Different projections and lighting displays illuminate Dublin every day after sunset and until 2 am.

This year, a total of 14 locations around the capital have been chosen to breathe a Christmas spirit into the streets of Dublin. Yet, people can also have a great time at Christmas markets.

“I encourage everyone to come in to the Mansion House and then wander around the city during the month of December to experience the magical Winter Lights on our wonderful buildings,” Lord Mayor of Dublin Paul Mc Auliffe.

The Mansion House, in fact, belongs to one of the places with the most festive display not only because of projections but also for its Christmas decorations.

Fourteen locations

Projections light up, apart from the Mansion House several other buildings every night including City Hall, The Civic Offices, The Custom House, The General Post Office, The Hugh Lane Gallery, Covanta Dublin Waste to Energy Plant at Poolbeg, and Trinity College.

“Dublin is always a special place at Christmas time and this December the city has an added sparkle with new lighting projections at Smithfield Square and Christ Church Cathedral and all across the city,” Lord Mayor of Dublin Paul Mc Auliffe added.

Moreover, seasonal lighting has been installed at O’Connell Street, Millennium Bridge, Parliament Street, and Samuel Beckett Bridge.

Eco-friendly Winter Lights

Dublin used up to 157,800 low power LEDs, 100 tonnes of equipment and 15,780 metres of cable to prepare Winter Lights this year. The city claimed the initiative is purely eco-friendly.

The lights installed on the Samuel Beckett Bridge, for example, use less electrical power than a domestic iron, or 10 household light bulbs. Some projections consume less than 80% of the energy of their traditional predecessors too.

The Winter Lights event is organised by Dublin City Council. However, Dublin has worked with local artists, schools, and community groups, to bring the event to life including Ballybough Craft Group, Colm Molloy, Brian Kenny, Garreth Joyce, and Steve Mac Devitt to name a few.