Sunday November 2nd 2008
City Centre Beacons Crowds with
Dramatic New Lights and LED Tree
for the Capital this Christmas
The streets of Dublin City Centre will themselves become an attraction for visitors this Christmas as the Dublin City Business Improvement District, in partnership with the retailers, hoteliers, restaurateurs and businesses in the area, invest over €1million to erect dramatic new energy efficient Christmas street lights around the Capital. The design of the lights was chosen by the businesses in each street to suit the character of their respective areas. The new lights will be seen on Henry St/Mary St, South Anne Street, St Andrew St., Trinity Street, North Earl Street and South Great Georges St.
Last year the spectacular new Chandelier style Grafton St lights and canopy-style Wicklow St lights erected by the retailers added dramatically to the unique atmosphere of the city centre which this year is expected to be even better.
Commenting on the energy efficient Christmas lighting plans for the city the Lord Mayor of Dublin Eibhlin Byrne said: “Christmas in Dublin is a magical time especially for children. By using energy efficient lighting we are helping to give the next generation of Dubliners a sustainable future. Let’s hope that the wonder of Christmas in Dublin is a gift enjoyed by everyone in the City.”
According to Richard Guiney, CEO of the Dublin City Business Improvement District “Dublin City Centre truly comes into its own at Christmas time and is a wonderful place to be. Over the years the retailers have worked to create a festive atmosphere for all and this year it will be truly magical. We are delighted to help realize the vision of the businesses in the area and fund, in partnership with them, the new street lights which is part of our ongoing promotional and improvement programme for the City Centre. This year’s display will be bigger and better than anything that has gone before and I’d like to invite everyone to come in and experience the atmosphere and see the display for themselves.”
In addition to the new Christmas lights another highlight attraction this festive season is expected to be a new 60ft LED light tree. Made up of almost 100,000 different bulbs of varying sizes it will be located on the median on O’Connell Street opposite the GPO. The energy efficient tree, which is 15 ft in diameter and weighs 5 tonne, was specially designed for Dublin City Centre by French family firm Blachere who also created the lighting for the Eiffel Tower and the Principality of Monaco. The new LED Christmas tree is funded by the Dublin City Business Improvement District in partnership with Dublin City Council and Dublin City Business Association. The lighting of the tree ceremony will take place on Sunday 9th November at 5.30pm (entertainment begins at 4pm).
The tree, which is made up of LED lights, arrives in Dublin Port by boat on Monday evening, 3rd November. Its erection will begin at 1am on Tuesday morning and is expected to take three days to complete.
According to David Brennan of 2B Light company, who is responsible for bringing the tree into Ireland, they first started working on the concept for the tree last year. “When developing the Chandelier style Grafton St lights we came across plans for an LED light only tree in the Blachere offices. We felt that such a structure would capture the magic of the city centre at Christmas time and reflect the true spirit of the city during the festive season. We expect it will become a symbol of hope in these challenging economic times. The tree combined with the fantastic new Christmas lights funded by the businesses and the Dublin City Business Improvement District will create a winter wonderland in the city. I would like to compliment the Business Improvement District for its vision and foresight in assisting the business community to deliver an initiative which will change the face of the Capital this Christmas.”
