A decision by the Lord Mayor of Dublin to shelve the city’s annual live-animal crib in the run up to Christmas has been met with a flurry of complaints and alternative proposals to save the project.

Caroline Conroy, a Green Party councillor, told RTÉ she will give children a different, new experience at the Mansion House.

“This will bring more fun, excitement and interaction, It will be more inclusive for more people. It will be a winter wonderland‚” which would include choirs, sleighs and post boxes at the Mansion House in place of the crib with live animals.

Live animals, including donkeys, sheep and goats, have been part of the traditional crib display at the Mansion House for more than 25 years. The animals were supervised by members of the Irish Famers’ Association and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The DSPCA said it was “disappointed” by the decision, adding that it would deprive inner-city children of a rare opportunity to see live farm animals, while IFA president Tim Callinan said he was “amazed and shocked”.

Former president Mary McAleese, asked the Lord Mayor “to reconsider the decision”, noting that next year would mark the 800th anniversary of the first live crib being set up by St Francis at Greccio, Italy.

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown mayor Mary Hanafin has put in a bid to provide a home for the live crib, pointing out that the council has plenty of “available safe space” either around the harbour or near the shopping district.

Dermot Dunne, Dean of Christ Church, said the cathedral would “be very glad” to have the crib in its gardens. There was adequate space and it would “fit in very nicely,” he said.

Meanwhile, in a swipe at those who complained, Green Party councillor, Claire Byrne, suggested that next year a Fianna Fáil mayor can “put a real baby” in the live animal crib outside Dublin’s Mansion House “or whatever” they and opposition parties think “defines Christmas”.