Christmas lights turned on in Dublin

Dublin has been lit up for Christmas.

Lord Mayor Eibhlin Byrne switched on the city's lights three weeks earlier than usual in a bid to encourage Christmas spending.

More than €1m was spent on the capital's lights this Christmas.

The traditional Christmas tree at O'Connell Street has been replaced by a tree made entirely of lights.

The 60 foot, five-tonne tree will use almost 100,000 energy-efficient bulbs in varying sizes.

Meanwhile, the Dublin City Business Association has called on residents to support their local businesses in the Christmas shopping spree.