Dublin's live animal Christmas crib has opened in St Stephen's Green after it was moved from outside of the Mansion House.
It was unveiled at the Summer House, which is a National Historic Property in the care of the OPW, and is located on the north-eastern side of the green near Kildare Street.
In a statement this afternoon, the Irish Famers’ Association – which manages the crib – said the animals will be tended to onsite every day by their owner and will return to their farm in Co Wicklow each afternoon.
"Members of the public will not be able to enter the Summer House, but will be able to see the Live Crib from the external protective rails. Animal welfare is paramount and the shelter in the Summer House has been installed in line with the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council’s Guidelines," the statement read.
Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works Patrick O’Donovan said that he was happy to work with the IFA "to ensure the continuation of this lovely family tradition in our capital city".
The crib had been located outside the Mansion House since it began in 1995.
The Lord Mayor, Green Party councillor Caroline Conroy previously said that the live crib featuring farm animals was a little underwhelming for people and she wanted a better experience with play and fun at its centre.
The new display outside the mansion house features a gantry covered in LED Christmas lights and solar panels, with a postbox for Santa letters, a sleigh on which children can sit for photos and a number of nutcracker soldiers.
In the centre of the space at the steps into the Lord Mayor's residence is the Christmas crib, in a newly constructed wooden manger.
