Irish Olympic silver medallists Gary and Paul O'Donovan have been chosen by Cork City Council to switch on the Christmas lights on Leeside this year.

The Skibbereen brothers, who represented Ireland in rowing at this year's Olympic Games in Rio, will take to Patricks Street on November 13 to get the festive period underway in the city.

The duo won silver in the lightweight double sculls in August for a first ever medal for Irish rowing at the Games and Paul then followed this up with a gold medal in the lightweight single sculls at the World Rowing Championships just two weeks later in Rotterdam.

"The whole manner in which they conducted themselves, they made everyone so proud," Lord Mayor of Cork City Cllr. Des Cahill told RedFM.

"We're so fortunate that they've agreed to turn on the lights to officially launch the Christmas season."

Olympic medallists Paul and Gary O’Donovan parade through Skibbereen on an open top bus last August. Image: ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan