More than 2,500 people have volunteered their services at Apollo House since a group of activists occupied the building and repurposed it to provide temporary shelter to the homeless in Dublin's city centre.

The group behind the occupation, Home Sweet Home say mental health professionals, construction and maintenance workers and medical personnel have all been helping out.

Residents and campaigners have been told to vacate the property by January 11th and homelessness charity, the Peter McVerry Trust said a number of residents have agreed to move into more permanent accommodation over the past few days.

Some of Dublin’s top chefs put on a special Christmas dinner for 70 people in the building yesterday.

One resident said he is just grateful to have somewhere to call home this Christmas:

“It is amazing,” he said. “Obviously people have taken it to heart and even amongst us, the residents, we think that we have taken a stand.”

“They gave us a light you know, it has been brilliant. I am so happy here I just don’t want to leave.”

Home Sweet Home Eire has shared a Facebook live video of Glen Hansard and others performing for the crowd inside Apollo House on Christmas Day: