The Chinese New Year was celebrated at the weekend with traditional festivities in Dublin.
Around 400 Irish and Chinese people ushered in the Year of the Ram at a dinner on Friday night in Dublin's City West Hotel, attended by the Chinese ambassador to Ireland.
Ministers of State Mr Brian Lenihan and Mr Tom Kitt were among the audience for the cross-cultural event, organised by the Irish Chinese Immigration Centre and International Orphan Aid, which supports Irish people seeking to adopt children from China.
The entertainment included Irish dancing and a display of national dress worn by 16 ethnic groups in China.
Meanwhile, in Dublin city, a mock Chinatown decorated with lanterns and streamers was set up in Dame Lane and Dame Court, with street entertainment including traditional lion dancing and Chinese stall-holders selling food on Saturday.
There are some 11,500 Chinese nationals registered with immigration authorities in the Republic.
However, it is estimated that there are between 30,000 and 40,000 Chinese people in the State, including students, workers, illegal immigrants and people who have acquired Irish citizenship.
The date of the Chinese New Year is determined by the lunar calender and the date of the holiday varies from late January to mid-February.