Dublin City Council winter lights returns

Dublin City Council has announced that the dazzling ‘Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights displays are back for another year

From the end of November to the end of December, locations all over the city centre will be transformed with colourful projections and lighting displays, including for the first time, the National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks, Newcomen Bank, the James Joyce Bridge and the Liffey Boardwalk.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin James Geoghegan says, “The annual ‘Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights’ Festival is a wintertime favourite for both locals and visitors. This year promises to be even better than before, with new locations and artists. I’m really looking forward to seeing the full programme. I know the projections and illuminations have been worked on by some of the best artists from around the globe and Ireland. So come on into town in December and enjoy seeing the city in all its sparkling glory!”

Simon Clarke, from Dublin City Council’s Events section says, “The implementation of a low carbon footprint has been a core strategy for this event. This has mainly been achieved through the elimination of generators from the streets, use of LEDs, projections with low power requirements, battery storage for power, and the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil as a fuel source. Our new installations in Merrion Square Park, and the introduction of the first outdoor 360 degree immersive lighting experience in the National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks, will bring a unique and entertaining experience to all visitors young and old to the city centre”.

The power used to light the GPO is comparable to that used in six kettles and an electric shower uses the same power as is used on the Custom House projections.

Artists from all over the world were invited to submit applications for their work to feature on the GPO and in a new 360 degree immersive light experience in the National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks. The winning artwork on each building will be announced early next month.

This year Newcomen Bank, one of Dublin’s finest Georgian buildings, will feature projected artworks by NCAD students who took part in a Video Mapping Competition developed by ‘Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights’, in association with the Embassy of France in Ireland.

A Children’s Art Competition for Primary School Children is also taking place as part of ‘Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights’. All artwork will be projected onto Barnardo Square beside Dublin Castle. 3 winning artworks will receive a prize from the Lord Mayor and their artwork will be used on the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Cards this year.

At George’s Dock, ‘Constellations’, a 16-minute audio-visual installation by the inspirational Studio Lemercier will project light on invisible water particles to form shapes in the air.

This year, there are two ticketed events.

The historic Clarke Square at the National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks will feature stunning visuals and graphics with an immersive soundscape created by 8 international digital artists.

Merrion Square Park will return for the 4^th year running, from November 29^th to Christmas Eve inclusive. This year, it will include a huge hologram snow globe, spanning 8 metres.

Tickets for both locations will be available from November 8^th. There is a €2 euro per adult booking charge. Each adult ticket admits two children. Tickets are limited to a maximum of 4 adult tickets per person. Entry will start from 5pm each evening, with the last admissions at 9pm. All tickets can be purchased at www.dublinwinterlights.ie

Merrion Square Park also offers Relaxed Viewing timeslot. From 5pm to 5.30pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and Sunday evenings, this time slot is designed to welcome people who will benefit from a more relaxed environment, including those who identify as neurodiverse. During this slot, no music will be played and people will have more space to move around. There will be a designated mobile sensory unit away from the lights and sounds in the park for use at all sessions. For more information and ticket enquiries for relaxed performances, please e-mail [email protected]