Dublin ‘lights up’ for Christmas using eco-friendly generators

Dublin City Council has made the Liberties one of the locations for the ‘Dublin’s Winter Lights’ project. 

Twenty-one locations over two walking trails will be decorated with projections and lighting displays. 

This year, organisers have said that the project will be environmentally friendly, promising to use no diesel generators. 

“We all need a bit of colour in our lives, so I would encourage Dubliners to visit the city centre and take in as many locations as they can.”  

– LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN ALISON GILLILAND

Instead, where grid power is unavailable, generators will run on hydro-treated vegetable oil (HVO) instead.  

HVO is made from 100pc renewable waste materials and delivers up to 90pc reduction in CO2 emissions, according to the European Technology and Innovation Platform. 

The eco-friendly Dublin Winter Lights features 157,800 low-power LEDs, 100 tonnes of equipment and 15,780 metres of cable. 

“It is utilising the latest energy-saving laser-projection technology and the majority of the installations use LED-powered lighting,” DCC said. 

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alison Gilliland, said she was looking forward to the project. 

“We all need a bit of colour in our lives, so I would encourage Dubliners to visit the city centre and take in as many locations as they can. I know that’s definitely something I’ll be doing this festive season,” she said.

Simon Clarke, from Dublin City Council Events Unit, said: “Five new locations have been added to the list this year, including the historical Liberties area. 

“We’re also delighted to introduce Merrion Square Park as a venue, the details of which will be launched very shortly, so watch this space.” 

A team of over 60 people work to deliver the event each year. All materials and branding from year to year will be recycled. The lights will remain on until January 1.