Dublin’s Deputy Lord Mayor, councillor Donna Cooney, officially launched the crib today alongside President of the Irish Farmers Association, Francie Gorman, and members of the Lucan Gospel Choir.
Cllr Cooney, who has been acting as Lord Mayor since James Geoghegan was elected to the Dáil recently, said she’s enjoying her time in the role during the festive season.
“When the Lord Mayor was elected, I was asked if I could stand in. I was a little apprehensive. But it’s just a fabulous time of the year. I am a very Christmassy person,” she said.
Speaking about her Green Party colleague, Caroline Conroy, who removed the live crib from the Mansion House during her reign in 2022, Ms Cooney said he colleague “wanted to try something different”.
Mollie Berry reacts as she sings alongside Lucan Gospel Choir at a live animal Christmas crib. Pic: REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
“It sort of became a controversy at the time. I don’t think it was meant in the way it was taken,” she said.
“I wasn’t involved in the organisation of this [crib], but it looks wonderful. People like to come to this. It brings people joy and the animals don’t appear to be anxious, they seem relaxed and calm.
“I’m on the animal welfare oversight group. I care dearly for the welfare of animals so I wouldn’t oversee anything that was in any way harmful towards animals.”
When asked if she would permanently like the role of Lord Mayor, Ms Cooney said: “I wouldn’t mind it, who wouldn’t? It would be a privilege.”
The ‘Little Angels’ from St Joseph’s Nursery, Morning Star Road, and the Lucan Gospel Choir performed at the launch. Singer Tara Smith was among those enjoying the Christmas cheer.
A man leads a donkey and a goat towards the live animal crib at the Mansion House. Pic: REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
“We are here to support the live crib which is badly needed in Dublin,” she explained.
“I love Christmas. It’s all about the kids and in all our hearts, we’re still kids.
“The energy we get off the kids, once they get going, there’s no stopping us. Taylor Swift hasn’t a patch on us, she’d have to do a big audition for us.
“The choir in Lucan is 26 years old. It is a fantastic community. I joined five years ago to step out of my comfort zone, to do something new. Little did I know that it would become a big family.”
Mary Barr, who is a Lucan Gospel Choir superfan, was front row to see her favourite singers perform.
“I come here every year to see the Little Angels, and the choir who I support,” she said.
Children from St Joseph’s nursery choir at the launch of the live animal crib, in Dublin. Pic: REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
“I love Christmas. I’m from the country, from Donegal, and Christmas was all about religion. When I came to Dublin, it was all drinking or celebrating. There was a big difference. The Dubs have the atmosphere.”
The Live Animal Crib is a joint initiative between DCC and the Irish Farmers Association which will be at the Mansion House until December 24.
IFA President Francie Gorman said: “It’s fantastic, even for us country people, to come up and see it. To see the crowd enjoying themselves, it’ll be the same over the next fortnight.
“The idea of this crib was to give something back to the people of Dublin, to try and bridge that gap between town and country. I think it’s more important today than ever before.”
