Today is the shortest and darkest day of the year. Ireland, and several other countries in the northern hemisphere, will enjoy less than seven and a half hours of daylight.
In astronomical terms, the solstice phenomenon occurs at the moment when the North Pole is tilted furthest from the sun as the Earth travels on its orbit.
This day has long been celebrated by pagans and druids as a time of rebirth of the sun for the new year. In places like Stonehenge and Newgrange, people gathered this morning to greet the dawn of this day.
In more practical terms, please be careful out there, as longer hours of darkness mean riskier driving and walking conditions.
The mornings will continue to darken for another few days, and then begin brightening up a little more every day from the New Year.