Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy switches on the Oireachtas Christmas tree lights at Leinster House with disability rights activist Cara Darmody. Also pictured (from left) are Tánaiste Simon Harris, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Sinn Féin deputy leader Pearse Doherty. Photograph: Barry Cronin/The Irish Times.
This is not just a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, this is an M&S Christmas tree-lighting ceremony . . .
It was Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy’s gig, but the big switch couldn’t happen until the two principal guests arrived. Never mind. While the crowd waited for Micheál and Simon to appear, the music played on and Leinster House got into the Christmas mood for one evening at least.
This year, thanks to Storm Bram, the authorities decided to move the official start of the festive season from a windswept Leinster Lawn to the warm and dry confine
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