Dublin's Spire has been officially unveiled in the city centre.
Around 1,000 people attended the ceremony on O'Connell Street this morning.
Lord Mayor Dermot Lacey said the Dublin Spire is a wonderful addition to the city's skyline.
Cllr Lacey originally voted against the project, but has since changed his mind, he said.
The Spire, which cost almost €5m, was designed by London architect Ian Ritchie in 1998.
A small gathering of protestors demonstrated against what they say is wasted money which could have been spent on health.
But project manager Michael O'Neill says the Spire will pay for itself in five years through tourism.
It is part of the first phase of the rejuvenation of O'Connell St.
The plaza surrounding it is due to be completed by the middle of next year.
Time capsule buried
To mark the event, a time capsule is being put into the ground under the Spire, where is hoped it will remain for at least the next two centuries.
The capsule contains a number of items to inform 23rd century Dubliners about life in the 21st century.
These include menus from both a pizza company and one of Dublin's most expensive restaurants, till receipts from supermarkets and bars, a packet of 20 cigarettes, newspaper cuttings, an RTÉ Guide and an Argos catalogue.
