The moon was still out when a crowd gathered on Sandymount strand early yesterday to welcome Easter morning.
About 200 people formed a circle around the vigorous flames of a paschal fire blazing in the breeze from a hole in the sand.
It was the fourth ecumenical "sonrise celebration" to celebrate Easter morning on the strand, and clergy present included Father Martin Cosgrove and Father Michael Coady, from local Catholic parishes.
Rev Arthur Barrett, Rev Sonia Gyles, and Rev Kevin Moroney, all of the Church of Ireland; and Rev Dennis Campbell of the Presbyterian Church also attended.
"The churches differ about some things but on this we are all agreed: Jesus has risen from the dead," began Father Cosgrove.
The service consisted of prayers, guitar music and singing, a reading of Matthew's account of the Resurrection, the Iona creed, and the tricky business of lighting paschal candles in the wind.
They prayed "that all Christians will live and grow in unity", and "that all areas of conflict in the world, particularly the Holy Land, will find peace".
Finally the rose-tinted clouds hinted at the arrival of the sun and the skies lightened above the sleeping city.
When the service ended most of the crowd ambled back at a feel-good pace to the national school behind the Star of the Sea church in Sandymount for a light breakfast of tea or coffee, and scones.
