The countdown to 2014 has begun in Dublin tonight where the streets are alive with lights, colour and music as part of the NYE Festival.
It began at 6.30pm with the People’s Procession of Light which was led by a colourful array of floats, entertainers, dancers, acrobats and fire throwers.
Leading the procession were festival group LUXe and aerial dance theatre company Fidget Feet who were aided by volunteers including members of the Girl’s Brigade who held illuminated letters spelling out The Ultimate Gathering, a reminder that this marks the last event of the year of the Gathering.
The parade included illuminated towers, colourful birds, stilt-walkers, girls dressed as giant butterflies and a man operating an impressive white mechanical horse.
They were joined by hundreds of parents and children from Dublin and farther afield, many of who made their own lanterns to help light up this, the last night of the year.
Among the hundreds taking part were over 25 members of the 14th Ballyroan Scout Group who section leader Brendan Doyle said were “absolutely loving” the event.
“It’s fantastic, absolutely brilliant. It’s the first time we’ve experienced something like this. I knew it was on last year but it wasn’t to this scale. I think it’s absolutely superb,” he said.
Eilish Hardiman and Steve Browning were there with their nine-year-old twins Emily and Lucca who proudly held aloft their homemade lanterns as they took part in the procession.
“My Dad put in the light inside,” Lucca divulged, adding that he thought the event was really good. Both twins were unanimous in what their favourite part of the parade was: “the fire lady”. Asked why Emily replied “because it’s really dangerous”.
Kim Jiyeon who is originally from South Korea and living in Dublin said it was “like St Patrick’s Day” while her daughter Gabby was most impressed with the colourfully dressed dancers at the front of the parade.
Anastasia Pogos (11) and her mother Natalie who is from the Ukraine were among those who had heard about the event and decided to join in because “it looked like a lot of fun”.
And there is still plenty of fun to be had. From 8pm onwards College Green will be transformed from city street into festival stage as the Three NYE Dublin Countdown Concert begins.
On the bill are Madness, MKS, The Strypes, Ryan Sheridan and Seo Linn with over 10,000 expected to take part in the events culminating in the countdown to 2014.