Visit the IFA Live Animal Crib in Dublin City Centre

The IFALive Animal Crib at the Mansion House, Dublin is open until Christmas Eve.
The Crib provides a wonderful opportunity for families to witness a traditional nativity scene in the heart of our capital city. and is an opportunity to raise much-needed funds for the Mansion House Fuel Fund, which provides assistance to many families for Christmas.

The IFA Live Animal Crib

The Crib has been a joint venture between Dublin City Council and the Irish Farmers’ Association since 1995. The Crib is constructed by Dublin City Council’s Housing Maintenance Section and is a life size stable containing a sheep, donkey and goat which are provided and cared for by the Irish Farmer’s Association. The animals are brought in each morning and returned to a farm on the outskirts of the city each evening. The Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals also advises with regards to the care of the animals.

The Crib will be open to the public from Monday 11th December until Christmas Eve from 11am to 5pm daily (Christmas Eve 11am to 1pm).

The Mansion House Fuel Fund

The Mansion House Fuel Fund was set up by Sir John Arnott in 1891. It was originally set up to assist the needy during a particularly hard winter. At the end of that winter the surplus was carried over to the next year and the Mansion House Fuel Fund has continued to aid the needy in Dublin since. It is one of the oldest charities in Dublin. The Mansion House Fuel Fund distributes cash grants through a number of Charitable Societies, without any distinction of creed. Charities who have benefitted in recent years include the St. Vincent de Paul, Dublin Simon and Abbey Presbyterian Church Hamper Fund.

The Mansion House Fuel Fund is the Lord Mayor’s only personal charity. The Lord Mayor is Chairman of the Fund and is assisted by the Secretary and Treasurer. The committee meets twice a year with the Lord Mayor to determine the level of grants to be allocated to the recognised Charitable Bodies during the winter months. There are no paid staff running the Charity with the only costs incurred being postage and audit. All donations go to those in need.