Celebrations mark winter solstice

Today is the shortest day of the year and celebrations are taking place to mark the winter solstice.

This year's solstice also marks the start of the United Nations International Year of Astronomy.

Hundreds of people will be in Newgrange in Co Meath this morning to watch the sunrise, while in Dublin people are turning out to Sean Moore Park in Sandymount.

The park's James Joyce monument is aligned with the rising sun for the annual winter solstice and Astronomy Ireland held a solstice watch this morning.