The live animal Christmas crib has opened at its new location in St Stephen's Green in Dublin city centre, with live animals including a donkey, goat, and two sheep as part of the crib.
The decades old tradition has proven to be a favourite with families, and it faced uncertainty after Dublin's Lord Mayor Caroline Conroy announced the live-animal element of the crib would not go ahead outside the Mansion House. The Office of Public Works then became involved and went on to find the crib its new home in Stephen's Green.
Speaking to Dublin Live at the opening of the crib at Summer House in Stephen's Green, the Irish Farmer's Association's President Tim Cullinan said that it was "amazing" for the live crib to be back.
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He said: "It's amazing to see the choir singing here this morning and the crib back in Dublin city centre with our live animals here as well.
Mr Cullinan said: "I think there's s a few people I need to thank like Minister Patrick Donovan working with the OPW ensuring we had the venue here. And Fionn Sherlock, who is the farmer of the animals he was here at the crack of dawn this morning to ensure the animals were in on time and will be looking after them up until the 22 December."
Mr Cullinan described how the live crib is an tradition that they been doing for almost 30 years in Dublin. He said: "To be able to continue that tradition is very heart-warming for myself and our organisation here this morning.
"In particular I think it's excellent for the children and young people in Dublin city centre that they can come and interact with the farm animals at the live crib."
Wicklow farmer Fionn Sherlock owns this year's animals taking part in the live crib, and he will tend to them onsite each day before transporting them back to their home every evening. IFA president Tim Cullinan said that all of animals are "so relaxed" and are being "cared for in a proper manner all year round."
He added: "They're used to engaging with people and you can see that here. There's no stress on the animals."
When asked about the recent controversy around the live crib, Mr Cullinan said that he respected the decision made by the Dublin Lord Mayor, and that Stephen's Green is a "magnificent location" for the crib. He said: "We wanted to ensure we had the live crib in Dublin city centre and we've done that, we all make our own decisions and we move forward now."
Minister Patrick O'Donovan described the opening of the live crib in its new home as a "fabulous day", and that the OPW were delighted to work with the Irish Farmer's Association to make sure the live crib continues.
He said: "It's a big tradition. It's a great positive occasion for the children of Dublin and the children who visit Dublin in the next few weeks, and we just encourage as many people as possible to come and see it."
The live crib and all the animals were also blessed by Dean of Christchurch Rev Dermot Dunne and Father Gary Chamberland from the Notre Dame-Newman Centre. There were also children from the nearby YMCA creche dressed up as angels, who joined in with the Lucan Gospel Choir.
Also in attendance was Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys. She told Dublin Live: "It's so wonderful that the children of the city can enjoy the same delights that the children in the country can enjoy on a regular basis, this really is a fantastic day today."
Visitors to Stephen's Green were also delighted to the see the live crib make its big return. Patricia Hendrick from Portmarnock was in attendance to see the live crib, and said that she was "very impressed" by the setup and relaxed atmosphere.
She said: "I asked the the name of the donkey, the star of the show, and her name is Daisy. I congratulated the farmer because I thought every one of the animals were very relaxed."
Patricia's three-year-old grandson also really enjoyed seeing the animals in the live crib, and she added: "I think today was wonderful," she added.
The live crib in Stephen's Green is open to the public and it runs until December 22.
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