City centre dazzles as Christmas lights switch is flicked

The weather gave an early present to the thousands of people who gathered in Cork City last night for the turning on of the Christmas lights.

With torrential showers forecast for the day, there were fears the event could be rained out. Those fears were nearly realised as, on the dot of 6pm and just as the ceremony was due to get under way, light rain descended.

However, people barely had time to hastily put up their umbrellas before the rain stopped and stayed away for the remainder of the event.