As if we didn’t need another reason not to vote for the Green Party, the Green Party’s Dublin Mayor cancelled the beloved Live Crib at the Mansion House to much uproar. Thankfully, the beautiful setting is getting the go ahead in St Stephen’s Green instead.
The Christmas nativity scene with live animals, which will include a donkey, two sheep and a goat, will be resurrected at the summer house in St Stephen’s Green.
The festive favorite was originally removed from its former home at the Mansion House and will now appear a few hundred yards away starting December 8.
Green Party councilor and mayor Caroline Conroy received widespread backlash after announcing that the live animal element of the nativity scene would not appear in this year’s nativity scene.
In response to this, the Office of Public Works has now taken it upon themselves to bring the holiday attraction to its new home.
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 that captures the nativity story that unfolded in Bethlehem over two millennia ago,” reports The Mirror.
OPW’s new attraction follows discussions with the Irish Farmers Association and 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,” reports The Mirror.
The animals will be cared for on site by their owner each day and will return to their farm in Wicklow each afternoon.
People will not be able to enter the Summer House but will be able to view the Living Nativity Scene from a safe distance, so as not to disturb or scare the animals.
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 to the public,” reports The Mirrro.
IFA President Tim Cullinan said he was delighted that the Live Animal Crib, a tradition that began in 1995, would continue. 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,” reports The Mirror.
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