Cold light of night

THE SOCIAL NETWORK:Even the rain couldn't dampen the Christmas spirit in Temple Bar on Thursday. For December's First Thursday, a sort of monthly mini-Culture Night, there were mince pies and mulled wine for those who braved the cold. They were supplied by Gary Tiernan from Ubode cafe.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Naoise Ó Muirí, turned on the lights in the old city to the sound of carols by Our Lady’s Choral Society conducted by Proinnsías Ó Duinn. Sopranos Marjorie Fitzpatrick and Phil McGowan said they had another gig at the Chester Beatty Library later.

After an art tour, the Christmas movie Elf was on in Meeting House Square, with blankets and hot chocolate. Lorraine Maye of Temple Bar Cultural Trust said the giant umbrellas in the square were “tried and tested” and that the 600 tickets for the screening “sold out in one minute”.

Who we spottedThe city manager, John Tierney; Dublin city arts officer Ray Yeates; Cllr Mannix Flynn.