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Are you all set for New Year’s Eve, or are you still looking for ideas on how to spend the night? In Ireland, there are plenty of options and plenty of traditions to celebrate the start of 2026. From small and cozy gatherings to big fireworks, light shows, and concerts – here’s your guide on how to commemorate New Year’s Eve in Ireland.
photo: Cristian Escobar on Unsplash
The heart of New Year’s Festival Ireland in Dublin
If there’s one place to experience a full festival atmosphere on New Year’s Eve in Ireland, it’s Dublin. The Irish capital hosts the New Year’s Eve festival every year from December 30 to January 1. During the event, there’s live music, family events, and, for the change of the years, a Countdown Concert with well-known Irish artists. The festival basically takes place throughout the city; however, the main area is Dublin Castle, where several concerts are held.
For everyone who wants to see fireworks on New Year’s Eve, there are parts of the event in Dún Laoghaire and Howth. Here, the festival offers a procession of light, street performers, family fun, stands for food and drink, and spectacular firework displays.
photo: Vida Huang on Unsplash
Dancing, singing and toasting into the new year
You’d rather want to dance into the new year? No problem! The big cities offer lots of parties to attend, especially Dublin, Galway or Belfast, to mention only a few.
But of course, there’s more! You can go for a dinner with friends or your family, or you can opt for a more traditional New Year’s Eve in Ireland: visit your local pub, listen to some great live music, and toast to the new year with a pint and certainly some new friends you’ll make through the evening.
Craic, Cocktails, and an official Countdown in Galway
As one of the youngest cities in Ireland, Galway offers plenty of events to start the new year with. From lively bars and cocktail lounges to pubs and clubs with live music and, not to forget, the official countdown to the new year in the city centre:
From 6pm to 10pm, the New Year’s Eve Family Festive Féile welcomes you with live music, street performances, and a countdown for the new year with the church bells chiming. The family-friendly event is the perfect start to the festive evening, which you can then continue to celebrate as you like – relaxed, or with a night of dancing and singing with your friends.
Calm reminiscence in the Irish Countryside
Would you rather like to start the new year in a much calmer, maybe a bit more traditional way? Then the Irish countryside might be the place for you.
Reminisce about the last year, about the ups and downs, while taking a walk along green, frosty hills, calm beaches with crashing waves, or rough cliffs. The solitude, calm, and power of nature will help to remind you what’s really important in life and to cherish what you have already accomplished.
And if you’d like to warm up afterwards, there’s certainly a local pub that invites you in for a hearty meal and a drink that you can toast to the new year with.
photo: Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Enjoy celebrating New Year’s Eve in Ireland!
There are plenty of places and plenty of ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Ireland. So, grab your family or friends, just your favourite people, and spend an evening that is filled with laughter, fun, and great food!
header photo: Pierre-Etienne Vilbert on Unsplash
