Energetic start to January

Maybe it really was all about welcoming the new year or perhaps it was more of a glad good riddance to the old one, but whatever the reason for the mood around the country over the last 48 hours, it was certainly celebratory.

Whether braving the waves for the many New Year’s Day swims or braving the crowds for the continuing sales, the appetite for getting up and about and making an energetic start to 2013 was a healthy one.

Despite the late, loud, and lavish night in Dublin where a combination of the launch of the Gathering and the official start of Ireland’s presidency of the EU gave the city double reason to party on new year’s eve, the festivities continued yesterday with a Big Brunch family event in the city centre.