Christmas in Dublin will start on the northside of the city this year with the switching on of the first Christmas lights of 2015 at Henry Street on November 12th.
The Christmas market, a traditional feature in many European towns and cities, which got its first outing at St Stephen’s Green last year, is also moving north of the river.
DublinTown, the business organisation that set up the inaugural market last year, is considering holding the market on North Earl Street, down the side of the former Clerys department store, and is also looking at the possibility of having stalls on O'Connell Street, pending discussions on the Luas cross city works.
Success
“After the success of the market at St Stephen’s Green last year, we had quite a number of northside businesses asking if we could do the same there.
“So what we’re looking at is having it at North Earl Street, and if we can, wrapping it on to O’Connell Street, but that will depend on the Luas works,” said Richard Guiney, DublinTown chief executive.
It is unlikely, Mr Guiney said, that it will be possible to hold a market at St Stephen’s Green this year because of the space needed for the Luas works at that location.
However, he said it is possible that a smaller market could be held on Dame Lane.
“For Christmas markets to be successful, they need to be adjacent to high footfall areas. So O’Connell Street, if it can be made available, would be an excellent location.”
Stealing business
Last year’s market did not receive universal support. Some retailers and restaurants said that they had not been consulted about the market and claimed it was stealing their business at the most lucrative time of the year.
However, Mr Guiney said the Christmas market succeeded in drawing people into the city centre, particularly families. Some 726,600 people visited the market last year.
Henry Street isn't an option for the market because it is already used for a Dublin City Council licensed market, but it has been chosen for the switching on of the city's first Christmas light on Thursday, November 12th, followed by Grafton Street the following Sunday and O' Connell Street on Sunday November 29th.
Separately, the I Believe Christmas festival, located beside the CHQ building at George’s Dock, including a 50ft tree, will open on November 26th.
