The climate group Extinction Rebellion is holding a week of action around Dublin city.
It is organising a series of demonstrations as part of a global movement, calling on the Government to take radical action on climate change.
This includes the 'peaceful shut down' of roads in central Dublin.
"To governments of the world, we declared a climate and ecological emergency. You did not do enough", the group's website claims.
It began on Monday at the entrance to the Dáil, where activists walked in procession.
The 'Climate Walk' was led by a large pink sailing boat - there were also flag bearers, posters and music.
"What do we want? Climate justice!" #ExtinctionRebellion pic.twitter.com/056P4FrfUa
— Niall Colbert (@NiallColbert1) October 7, 2019
The mast of the boat was launched and an Extinction Rebellion flag raised, marking the start of a week of "non-violent direct actions".
They then delivered letters with their demands to four different Government departments.
A camp is being set up in a Dublin city centre location - which will see talks, workshops and serve as a base.
It coincides with similar actions in 60 cities worldwide.
Spokesperson Dr Ciaran O'Carroll says they are sorry for the disruption, but claims it is worth it.
"We absolutely understand concerns, but we feel that this disruption is necessary because [of] the Government's failure to act on the climate emergency.
"Failure to act on the climate emergency is going to impact many, many people - including small businesses in Dublin and around Ireland - as sea waters rise, as flooding becomes more prevalent.
"So that's going to be a huge disruption - so we hope that small bit of disruption now leads to less disruption in the future".
Extinction Rebellion protestor's carry a coffin to the gates of Leinster House. #ExtinctionRebellion pic.twitter.com/8XUd274las
— Niall Colbert (@NiallColbert1) October 7, 2019
The UN has said global warming needs to be kept below 1.5°C, which we will reach in just 20 years without urgent action.
This has seen events unfolding more rapidly than predicted by most scientists.
In recent months, wildfires have raged across the world from Siberia to Australia, the Bahamas have been devastated by a huge hurricane worsened by warming oceans, and Arctic ice is melting ever more rapidly.
A spokesperson from Extinction Rebellion says: "Even here in the rich world, we face imminent and growing danger. We are the last generation who can act to fight this crisis. It’s now or never".
The group says the next 18 months are "critical" for putting in place the policies that will move this forward rapidly.
