SO, IT’S ALMOST New Year’s.
This – as every year – the debate begins around now…
Do we conceal ourselves away from the maddening crowds and throw ourselves a house party — or do we head to the middle of the nearest conurbation and throw our lot in with the drunken masses.
The decision (obviously) is yours.
But if you’re heading into town (where-ever ‘town’ may be), here’s a by-no-means-comprehensive run-down of what’s going on, where….
Once again, the tent-pole event of the Dublin celebrations is the Countdown Concert at College Green. Kodaline are the headliners this year — with James Vincent McMorrow and The Dublin Legends (the surviving, non-founding members of The Dubliners) also on the bill. It all kicks off at 8.30, and goes on until half past midnight — and you can grab your tickets here (they’re €25.50 inc. booking).
If you’re looking for something a little more family-friendly, the Procession of Light — featuring (get ready for the PR-speak) “dazzling light installations, music, performers, fire and a touch of New Year magic” — starts from Stephen’t Green at 7pm, wending its way through Temple Bar to Dublin Castle. Here’s how the ‘big finish’ is set to play out, we’re told:
‘Magic Night’ ends with ”All About The Brass’’ – a bespoke choreographed fire and music show that will have your foot stomping and cheering your way into 2015. Joined by FirePoise, Ireland’s leading fire performance group and a music performance by very special guests … its a secret!
Elsewhere, there’s also a series of ‘Music Trail’ events, with the like of Le Galaxie and the Dublin Gospel Choir headlining gigs. Earlier in the day, there’s a food village in Barnardo’s Square (that spot beside City Hall, on Dame Street) from midday. It’s open again from noon on New Year’s Day, in case you’re on the hunt for hangover-soothing oriental treats.
“Phantasmagorical.” If you’re hoping to be able to describe your New Year’s night out in Cork as above, you could do worse than an evening at the Everyman Theatre. The always-entertaining Jack Lukeman headlines with his ‘Phantasmagorical’ show. “Early booking is advisable,” the promoters say (well, they would, wouldn’t they?).
Again — on a more family-friendly note, the city’s big panto is still packing them in: ‘Sleeping Beauty‘ finishes its Opera House run on 17 January. On New Year’s Eve itself, Mick Flannery will be performing a show at the venue.
The Treaty City had a massive shindig last New Year’s to mark the start of its 12 months as ‘City of Culture’. There’s no sequel event this year, unfortunately — but if you’re heading out and about tonight, there’s a ‘Winter Carnival’ happening to wrap-up the city’s cultural year.
A Disney Frozen sing-a-long at the LSAD Gallery is already sold out, parents will be ever-so-pleased to hear. Elsewhere — during the afternoon, there’s a ‘Carnival Extravaganza‘ of “circus, dance, street theatre and song” at the Milk Market from midday. The Rubberbandits headline a ‘Christmas Fistfight’ at Dolan’s Warehouse from 8pm. More details on all those events here.
The showcase event of Belfast’s big celebrations is the ‘White Star Ball’. Yes — before you ask, it’s Titanic-themed. But within its own parameters, it sounds like a classy-enough affair. PR-speak time again:
Ring in the New Year in style at Titanic Belfast’s White Star Ball! Enjoy a fabulous meal and dance the night away in front of the famous Titanic staircase, and make this a New Year’s Eve to remember!
A steep £75 entrance fee includes a ‘festive’ cocktail on arrival, a five course banquet, and live entertainment, including a piper, at midnight.
If you’re in or around Galway, the always entertaining Kormac’s Big Band headlines the Roisín Dubh , with support from Daithí. In Dundalk, there’s an interesting-looking ‘Hootenanny’ happening at the Spirit Store — and if you really want to try something different, it looks like there’s plenty of action in Dingle… Celebrations in the town kick off at 10pm with “the best fireworks display in Kerry”.
From the organisers’ Facebook page:
Then at 11:30pm follow the Dingle Fife & Drum band from outside O’Flaherty’s Pub around the town to the bridge at the bottom of Main St where a huge projected clock and thousands of people will ring in the New Year.
They add:
A collection will be taking place at the pier to raise funds for the fireworks so make sure your pockets are full of change.
Well… No-one said you’d get through New Year’s without frittering away a few euros.
*Not really, obviously.
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