The formal lighting of Grafton Street's Christmas lights was cut short last night as larger than expected crowds gathered for the event.
"The turning on of the Grafton Street Christmas lights captured the imagination of Dubliners' to a greater extent that ever before and coupled with the mild weather the crowds were larger than anticipated," a statement from Dublin Town, a local business group, read.
It's officially #Christmas on Grafton Street.#dublinatchristmas #PhotoOfTheNight pic.twitter.com/Cpju4phHoU
— Yoseph Sheridan (@yosephsheridan) November 13, 2016
"Due to numbers and in the interest of safety and comfort, organisers decided to shorten the usual programme," it continued.
This meant that scheduled performances from Irish 5-piece Hermitage Green, Glen and Ronan, and the cast of the Gaiety Panto were cut from the programme.
Some 15,000 people flocked to the south-side's main shopping street last night for the lighting ceremony.
Great crowds for turning on the lights #DublinAtChristmas on #Grafton Street @DublinTown #PR pic.twitter.com/Ij7Jh1xUV6
— HelloMissionPR (@hellomissionpr) November 13, 2016
Henry Street's lights will be switched-on on Thursday evening at 5:00pm, while Smithfield will be lit up on Thursday November 24th at 4:00pm.
