The cancelled live animal Christmas crib will be resurrected a few hundred metres up the road from its former home at the Mansion House.
The decades-old tradition will now be housed in St Stephen's Green's Summer House from December 8. The attraction will include a donkey, two sheep, and a goat.
Green Party Councillor and Lord Mayor Caroline Conroy was the subject of a major controversy when she announced the live-animal element of the crib would not go ahead at this year's nativity scene outside the Mansion House. The Office of Public Works has now taken it upon themselves to bring the Christmas attraction to its new location.
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The OPW said in a statement: "A firm Christmas tradition and beloved institution for many, young and old, the Live Animal Crib will be back on 8 December in a new, central location in the heart of the capital. This year, the Summer House in St Stephen’s Green Park will provide shelter to a donkey, two sheep, and a goat, gathered around a scene which captures the nativity story that unfolded in Bethlehem over two millennia ago."
The new OPW attraction follows discussions with the Irish Farmers’ Association. The OPW added: "Animal welfare is paramount and the shelter in the Summer House will be installed in line with the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council’s Guidelines."
The animals will be tended to onsite every day by their owner and will return to their farm in 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 rails.
Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan said: “I am delighted that the OPW and IFA were able to find a location so that the Live Animal Crib can return to Dublin for the 27 year in a row to delight children in the weeks leading up to Christmas. I believe St Stephen’s Green offers an appropriate, sheltered space for the animals and is easily accessible for the public.
"As a parent, I understand how popular this nativity scene with real animals is for thousands of families in and outside the city, and I look forward to its opening on 8 December."
IFA President Tim Cullinan said he was delighted that the Live Animal Crib would go ahead in Dublin city centre, as has happened every year since 1995. He said: “The Live Animal Crib is a central part of the pre-Christmas experience in Dublin.
"It also allows children to see animals in a traditional Nativity scene. The Crib also serves to bring rural and urban communities together."
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