SW News: One of the main Christmas attractions in the Irish capital has got underway. The moving crib, which is in its 66th year, was opened on November 24 and it will go on until January 8.

This recreation of the Nativity scene has been arranged by St  Martin Apostolate at 42 Parnell Square West. Another main attraction of this creative scene is that the complete arrangement is free to watch. However, prior booking is mandatory for school groups. This visual spectacle attracts both children as well as adults every year during Christmas time.

The Crib scene is open from 11 am to 5:30 pm every day except on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. As part of the Moving Crib, there will be a montage of many Biblical scenes including, the Nativity, the first parents Adam and Eve, Noah's ark and the Presentation of Jesus in the temple. The presentation includes competitions and an illusion wall. Children can draw and color a leaf, cut it out and place it in the Garden of Eden. This visual treat will be a promising entertainment avenue for kids. For adults, the Crib is a monument of Dublin’s “rare auld times” when the Catholic ethos was very much palpable.

The moving Crib was initially opened in 1956 when Fr. Louis Coffey wanted to bring the Bible alive for the kids in his country. After much thought and discussions, the idea of the Moving Crib was hatched.

During the initial year, there was only the nativity scene, with stable and moving figures, which attracted one hundred thousand visitors at one time. Over the years it expanded. Frank Pringle was the master craftsman behind these magnificent scenes. Recently, Cormac Larkin, the renowned Dublin artist, also joined Frank Pringle in the making of this crib.