There’s no avoiding it any more - Christmas is upon us. So, it’s time get those crazy Christmas jumpers out yet again.
The lights on the tree outside Dublin’s GPO have been switched on, and the world record for the largest gathering of people wearing festive jumpers of varying degrees of ridiculousness has been broken in the capital, again.
On the first year of trying to break the world record in 2011, just 583 suitably attired people gathered under the Spire.
However, this year - helped by a rain-free afternoon and the promise of entertainment from the Number One Army Band, boyband Hometown, Vladimir the violinist and Linda Martin - 1,297 people wearing Christmas jumpers descended on the city centre to set a new landmark.
Snowmen or sleigh bells
While hundreds of people sporting Santa, snowmen or sleigh bells on their chests strolled up and down O’Connell Street over the course of the afternoon, Mark and Frances Hyland, their 10-year-old daughter Sarah and their dog Lucky stood out in their handmade red jumpers bedecked with baubles, fairy lights, glitter and candy canes.
The Hylands had gone the extra mile and added tinsel-covered red-striped hats and candy cane walking sticks to their ensemble.
“It is a big month for us,” Mark said. “These are jumpers we bought a few years back, and have been adding baubles and snowmen and bits and pieces on every year since,” he explained.
“Well, he says ‘we’, but I do all the work,” Frances said.
“We do it for our daughter. She is 10 and it is all very much for her. She’ll be grown up soon enough. And then maybe we won’t be able to do it any more.”
Geansaí Nollaig day
Charity lay at the heart of Geansaí Nollaig day, and all funds collected will be donated to the Make A Wish foundation.
As darkness fell, Santa and Dublin’s Lord Mayor Christy Burke arrived on the scene to cheers from about 1,500 people gathered around the Christmas tree.
The horses which pull the Lord Mayor’s carriage were given the evening off, with Mr Burke opting to arrive in Santa’s sleigh instead.
Lest anyone forget the true meaning of Christmas, the man in red was joined by half a dozen elves handing out fliers for a big retail store’s grotto, while similarly dressed staff from another large retail chain stood nearby handing out chocolate Santa lollies to the crowd.
A long line formed at the marquee offering free pizza from a popular chain, while a giant Mr Tayto lurked in the background looking for attention.
