Derry has laid claim to Ireland’s largest Christmas tree.
The 60 ft seasonal structure at Guildhall Square will be lit up on Friday when the city celebrates the official start of Christmas.
An artificial tree, the cone shaped structure is unsurpassed by any other in Ireland. Thousands of people are expected to gather at Guildhall Square to watch as the tree, which is leased from a private company, is illuminated along with the city’s other Christmas decorations.
A council spokeswoman said: “We lease it from a company called AJC in Downpatrick who keep in wrapped in a warehouse there.
“It is one of six trees we lease; the other five are 40 ft high. There’s one in Ebrington Square, one in Waterloo Place and one at the back of the Guildhall and two in Strabane.”
Events get underway 6.30pm with a “Magical” Christmas procession from Bishop Street, through Guildhall Square to Custom House Street. Derry’s Christmas illuminations will be switched on by mayor, Patricia Logue.
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Ms Logue said the annual launch of the city’s Christmas decorations was always a “special evening”.
She said: “The excitement has been building around the city since Hallowe’en with the erection of the huge trees around the town centre.”
The Strabane switch-on is on Saturday from 5pm to 7pm.
