VIDEO: Jimmy Barry Murphy lights up Cork City for Christmas

After lighting up hurling and football pitches across the country in his heyday, GAA legend Jimmy Barry Murphy used his magical touch to switch on the Christmas lights in Cork City last night.

The crowd who gathered for the event were also given an early Christmas present thanks to the weather.

With the heavy showers and gale-force winds of days earlier thankfully staying away, almost twice as many people attended (8,000) the ceremony in St Patrick’s St compared to last year (4,500).

Many gathered for more than an hour before the official switch-on to soak up the full atmosphere.

The increased attendance was matched by an increased level of twinkle. Cork City Council invested an extra €15,000 on lights this year.

The entertainment for the event was provided by the Cork-based Voice works, a choir made up of young vocal talents accompanied by the Voiceworks band and singers.

There was also performances from children’s choir ‘Winter SING!’ by ARTlifeCULTURE.

While they were given a rapturous reception, one of the biggest cheers of the night, unsurprisingly was for Santa Claus when he came on the stage, just 36 sleeps before he is due to make a certain round-world trip.

Some of the 8,000-strong crowd that gathered on St Patrick St, Cork City, as the Christmas lights were switched on. Cork City Council has spent an extra €15,000 on lights this year

Before he did the honours, Jimmy Barry Murphy spoke of the honour of turning on the lights. He told how his father used to work in Casey’s in Oliver Plunkett St and his mother in Roches Stores.

“So we were always in and out of town at Christmas time. It’s a very special time. Everybody who grows up in Cork loves to visit the city.

"I hope it is a great time for the traders and all the shops and kickstarts the economy going forward.”

The Christmas lights have been switched on! It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas in #Cork pic.twitter.com/MFoKkYrCAg

— Corkmas (@Corkmas_Cork) November 19, 2015

In addition to the festivities on St Patrick’s St, the traders’ groups in the city’s Paul St and Carey’s Lane also lit up.

They will be followed by the City Centre Square and French Church St traders next week.

The city council also lit up its Christmas trees at Brown Thomas and Ulster Bank in St Patrick St; the Opera House on Emmett Place; Grand Parade; Boreenmanna Road; City Hall and South Mall.

A packed Patricks st from Fitzgeralds Menswear for the switching on of the lights @CorkEveningEcho @irishexaminer pic.twitter.com/rtMhKlWlsa

— Rory Coomey (@RoryCoomeyPhoto) November 19, 2015

Speaking at last night’s switch-on, Cork Chamber chief executive Conor Healy encouraged the people of Cork to avail of the value and choice offered by the local businesses when they were doing their Christmas shopping.

“Christmas marks the most important time in the retail calendar which creates jobs and retains money in the local economy,” he said.

“By shopping local we will support the survival and growth of these businesses, facilitate the establishment of more local shops, and ensure a thriving Cork city centre.”

The #christmas lights just turned on in #Cork pic.twitter.com/BcdXoAvdhA

— Stephen Ryan (@StephenRyanCork) November 19, 2015

Thousands turned out on the streets of #Cork tonight to switch on the Christmas lights - well done to all involved! pic.twitter.com/8sirh3t64N

— Discovering Cork (@DiscoveringCork) November 19, 2015

Thousands of people turned out in #Cork city for the switching on of the #Christmas lights pic.twitter.com/Le9L3By2ty

— Cork's 96FM (@Corks96FM) November 19, 2015

Lord Mayor, Claire Nash @CBA_cork and Conor Healy @CorkChamber at switch on of Xmas lights in #Cork pic.twitter.com/w1hGyqzZH2

— Corkmas (@Corkmas_Cork) November 19, 2015

Crowds are building awaiting the switching on of the Christmas Lights in #Cork tonight @GlowCork pic.twitter.com/U8x7jotS2K

— BellsofShandon (@BellsofShandon) November 19, 2015