Grafton Street has been lit up with Christmas lights this evening and one our favourite signs has made a much-awaited return.
It was a lovely surprise for the scant few who were walking along the once bustling shopping street as "Nollaig Shona Duit" lit up just before 7pm.
Although the shops may be closed, it was a lovely moment for Dubliners who missed out on the light up show tradition that usually takes place each year.
Instead, they had to watch from home as it was shown on television and live stream, and even on the Dublin Live Facebook page.
We had many people across the world share their love and fond memories for Dublin at Christmas-time, with many happy to see the return of the famed Nollaig Shona Duit sign - with the controversial "Grafton Quarter" sign nowhere to be found.
Many commented from across the pond:
"So beautiful... homesick for Dublin, from an old Dub now living in Florida"
"Beautiful Grafton Street, oh I miss you. Merry Christmas from Los Angeles."
"So beautiful, helps to lift the spirit."
While other welcomed back an old friend:
"Delighted to see Nollaig Shona Duit back"
"Good to see the traditional Nollaig Shona Duit lights and not the Grafton quarter."
"Watching from London, and Nollaig Shona Duit is back, even better !"
"Looks fantastic. A lot better than "Grafton quarter" rubbish that was put up last year."
Other showed their support for businesses whose doors remain shut:
"All we need now are the shops and restaurants to open,oh and the pubs."
"So sad for retail makes you want to cry lights are on but shops are not open."
"Be even better now if the shops were open."
And a look back at this time in 2019 put a lot of things into perspective:
"Little did we know last year when we were moaning about the Nollag shona being changed that a whole other change was going to grip the world, and would change everything forever... Live every min because you never know when things might change."
