Dublin is a great city to visit any time of the year, but it’s a magical place at Christmas and the New Year. From carol singers on street corners and live music in pubs, wherever you go you’re sure to be entertained. The city really comes alive especially after dark, so just strolling around the city’s streets at night is an attraction in itself!

As it’s becoming more and more popular to head away to ring in the New Year, why not let Dublin be the place that you welcome 2008! Read on for more information…

If you appreciate classical music then book yourself one of the hottest tickets in town, to the annual RTE New Year’s Eve Gala Concert, which will be held in the National Concert Hall (NCH). It’s a great opportunity to get dressed up in all your finery and relax to some all time classics and melodic Viennese music

If you want to party your way into 2008 then you couldn’t be in a better place than Dublin. You’ll find lots of traditional Irish bars, disco bars, and nightclubs which will all have their own countdown at midnight. You’ll find an excellent selection in Temple Bar - Dublin’s vibrant cultural quarter. If you’re heading to a restaurant then book well in advance.

Why not ring in the New Year to the sound of the Christchurch Bells which will be heard ringing throughout the entire city at midnight. This is a big tradition in Dublin city centre where hundreds of people flock to Christchurch Cathedral to hear the tolling of these famous bells. The cathedral has a record number of 19 bells. If you’re going to this event then get there early - wrap up warm, get a good spot and join in with the other revellers outside the cathedral.

Other New Year’s events include The Lord Mayors New Years Day Parade. This fun and entertaining parade hosts some fantastic marching bands from home and abroad. The parade starts off on Parnell Street (just north of O’Connell St,), makes its way up through Dublin’s main thoroughfare O’ Connell Street where all the acts stop and perform for Dublin’s Lord Mayor.

January is panto time in Dublin so this year why not take the family to see “Beauty & the Beast” which is performing in the Gaiety Theatre with two shows daily.

Another New Years Day activity to enjoy is ice-skating and this year again, Dublin has two venues, Smithfield on Ice (at Smithfield) and 7up on Ice (in the RDS).

Funderland takes over the RDS from the 26th December and most of January. If you’re a bit of a dare devil try some of the amazing rides like the Fribee, the DropZone, the Wild Mouse, the Jungle River or one of the many rollercoasters.

New Years is a very busy time in Ireland’s charming capital city, so it’s never too early to book your Dublin accommodation.

If you know of any more events happening in Dublin, feel free to add them to the list by leaving a comment in the box below. Or why not tell us what your New Years plans in Dublin are! And remember if you’ve a question, don’t hesitate to ask and we’ll get back to you right away.

(Keep an eye on our Blog as we will be adding more New Years Eve events)