If you were upset that the live animal crib located outside Dublin’s Mansion House (ever since 1995) had run into problems this year, fret not. We come armed with good news.
The live animal crib has found a new home. It’s all set to return to Dublin on December 8 and will be housed at the Summer House in St Stephen’s Green Park. There will be a donkey, a goat and two sheep as part of the annual Christmas tradition.
The adorable animals will be well-tended to and will return to their farm in Co Wicklow each afternoon. This means that children and families will be able to enjoy a much-loved Christmas tradition and won’t miss out on the nativity scene replete with real animals.
While you will not be able to enter the Summer House, you will still be able to see the live crib from the external rails.
Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan, welcomed the announcement: “I am delighted that the OPW and IFA were able to find a location so that the Live Animal Crib can return to Dublin for the 27th year in a row to delight children in the weeks leading up to Christmas. I believe St Stephen’s Green offers an appropriate, sheltered space for the animals and is easily accessible for the public. As a parent, I understand how popular this nativity scene with real animals is for thousands of families in and outside the city, and I look forward to its opening on 8 December.”
IFA President Tim Cullinan said he was delighted that the Live Animal Crib would go ahead in Dublin city centre, as has happened every year since 1995: “The Live Animal Crib is a central part of the pre-Christmas experience in Dublin. It also allows children to see animals in a traditional Nativity scene. The Crib also serves to bring rural and urban communities together.”
Are you happy and delighted too? Let us know what you think.
