Tipperary IFA president Tim Cullinane is supporting a plan to provide a live crib in the Summer house in Stephen’s Green Dublin beginning on December 8th. The Mayor of Dublin declined to allow the Mansion House to be used for a live crib this year. The Office of the OPW and Minister Patrick O’Donovan is also supporting the use of St Stephen’s green. The crib will include a donkey, two sheep, and a goat, gathered around a scene which captures the nativity story.
The Office of Public Works says animal welfare is paramount and the shelter in the Summer House will be installed in line with the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council’s Guidelines. The animals will be tended to onsite every day by their owner and will return to their farm in Wicklow each afternoon. Members of the public will not be able to enter the Summer House, but will be able to see the Live Crib from the external rails.