Thousands of people turned out on Grafton Street in Dublin this evening for the turning on of the Christmas lights.The Original Rudeboys switched on the lights this year
along with Love Hate star Laurence Kinlan who plays Elmo.
Elsewhere, in Cork, Michael O'Regan, who has sold newspapers on Patrick Street for over 54 years, was centre stage helping the Lord Mayor Cllr Mary Shields turn on the city's Christmas lights.
Briege Corkery and Anna Geary, captains of the Cork All-Ireland winning Camogie and Ladies Football teams were also there.
The city's main thoroughfare was closed to traffic from late afternoon to allow thousands of people gather for the countdown.
Again this year the city is hosting Glow Cork, a festival to help attract people into the city centre in the lead up to Christmas Eve.
