Christmas in Dublin
Daragh | November 27, 2006I was strolling along O’Connell Street yesterday around 5pm and I noticed it was closed off to traffic, so being the curious type that I am I took a walk up to the GPO and happened upon the unveiling of this years Christmas tree. Yes, love it or hate it, it’s that time again already folks…
Unfortunately had a pressing engagement to get to (ok, it was a pint of Guinness), so I didn’t hang around for the official light up.
Here’s a list of some of the events taking place in the city over Christmas taken from the official DublinCity.ie press release :
Live Animal Crib – (11 – 23 December) For the 11th year running, The Mansion House on Dawson Street will host a traditional nativity scene set with live animals in a specially constructed lifesize stable. This event has become a beloved Christmas tradition amongst families and has collected over €110,000 for the Lord Mayor’s Charity Fund. Organised by the Irish Farmers Association and Dublin City Council, this wonderful event is free but everyone should donate money to this worthy cause! A wonderful opportunity to bring a little bit of the country to city kids. ·
Smithfield on Ice, t.0818 946900 / http://www.smithfieldonice.ie/ – (10 November – 7 January)
Dublin’s original open-air Ice-Rink, returns to Smithfield for the fifth year running. A large skating rink, a Victorian carnival and Christmas market all contribute to a sense of the ‘White Christmas’ Bing Crosby sang about. Santa will be up the 170ft Smithfield chimney, there will be carols every Sunday, and everyone can get a chance to bump and slide on the ice! All together now: “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas!� ·
Santa’s Workshop – (every weekend in December) This year for the first time Santa has moved his workshop from Lapland in the North Pole to Dublin’s City Hall!! ·
Christmas Market – (1 – 10 December)
Dubliners will have the opportunity to savour the atmosphere, tastes and smells of a traditional Christmas market in Wolfe Tone Park with Christmas fare available from over 20 stalls offering a wide selection from which to choose. Dublin Docklands Authority, Georges Dock, IFSC, D1: http://www.ddda.ie/ · 12 Days of Christmas –
Traditional Festive Market – (12 – 23 December)
Featuring over 40 traders selling Christmas decorations, seasonal food and craft gifts from decorated stalls the market also offers the scent of mulled wine, a German-themed bar, carol-singing, an eating area and fairground attractions. Not only will it bring a bit of Christmas spirit to the city but it will also be an opportunity to see how the Docklands is changing.
The National Museum of Ireland, t.01 6777444: http://www.museum.ie/ ·
Christmas Open Day, Museum of Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks, D7 -(Saturday 2 December): children can make Christmas decorations and learn about old fashioned toys. ·
Get Ready for Christmas!, Museum of Archaeology & History, Kildare Street, D2 – (Saturday 16 December): children will be encouraged to make their own Christmas decorations and decorate a tree at this children’s art workshop (booking is essential). ·
 A Medieval Christmas, Museum of Archaeology & History, Kildare Street, D2 – (Sunday 17 December): presented by the Irish Arms Living History Group, enjoy the fun of the Medieval Fair – education amidst Christmas fun, what more could you want for your kids?
 Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA),Royal Hospital Kilmainham, D8: http://www.modernart.ie/ ·
A number of exciting exhibitions will be running for all the family to enjoy including Michael Craig-Martin (Until 14 January),Hearth: Concepts of Home from the IMMA Collection in collaboration with Focus Ireland (Until 1 April), Iran do EspÃrito Santo (Until 21 January) and All Hawaii Entrées (Until 18 February)
Dublin City Gallery – The Hugh Lane, Parnell Square North, D1: http://www.hughlane.ie/ ·
Children’s Art Workshops (see website for further details) Why not bring all the budding artists in the family along to explore their creative side:- Making Winter Tophats – (Saturday 2 December) 12 Days of Christmas – (Saturday 16 December) Little Christmas – (Saturday 6 January)
The Gaiety Theatre, South King Street, D2: http://www.gaietytheatre.net/ · Mother Goose Panto – (3 December – 4 February)
“He’s behind you! Oh no he isn’t! Oh yes he is!� The Gaiety Panto is the largest in the country and it’s always a great night out for the whole family. Expect lots of good guys, bad guys, good girls, bad girls, men dressed as women and the most important ingredient lots of happy, loud, shouting children.
The Olympia Theatre, 72 Dame Street, D2: t.01 670 3323/0818 719330 ·
 Cinders Panto – (26 December – 7 January) 98fm’s Little Becky and ITV’s Bel from Bel Boys are appearing live in pantomime this Christmas in the all time classic Cinders at the Olympia. With an all-Irish child cast of over 110, 4-16 year olds, two live ponies, Bebo the Dog and the biggest kid in the world, June Rogers, returning to panto for the first time in many years – this is bound to be an evening of fun and frolics for the entire family!
Liberty Hall, Eden Quay, D1:01 872 1122 / http://www.libertyhall.ie/ ·
Sleeping Beauty – The Lyons Tea Panto – (15 December – 21 January) Ireland AM’s Alan Hughes appears as Sammy Sausages with a host of other celebrities including Joe Conlon, George McMahon and Hazel O’Connor in this year’s classic panto production which is bound to entertain young and old alike!
The National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, D2: http://www.nch.ie/ ·
Christmas Crackers – (7 December, 8 pm) Hosted by showband legend Dickie Rock and Niamh Kavanagh the evening features a host of popular seasonal carols and Christmas hits including Silent Night, I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus, Christmas Song, O Holy Night and lots more. ·
 A Christmas Festival – (9 December, 8pm) Presented by Niamh Murray, this event will feature the Dublin County Choir, the Billie Barry Children and the Royal Irish Academy of Music Wind Ensemble. If you’re a fan of Christmas music then there is no better way to get into the spirit of the season!
A Silver Christmas ·
Dublin City Centre Christmas trees will be adorned with the glow of silver stars from Newbridge Silverware this year who have donated a series of 3,500 exclusively designed and crafted silver stars to Dublin City Council. They will be featured in Christmas trees in O’Connell Street, Lower Grafton St., City Hall and the home of the Lord Mayor – the Mansion House and will be auctioned off in aid of the Lord Mayor’s charity TRUST after Christmas.
Contemporary Music Centre,19 Fishamble Street, Temple Bar, D8: http://www.cmc.ie/ ·
 Mornington Singers – (7 December, 6.30 – 7.30pm) Will perform Christmas Carols old and new followed by seasonal refreshments at the Contemporary Music Centre and Handel Courtyard.
St Martin’s Church, 42 Parnell Square, D1, t.01 8745465 ·
The Moving Crib – (1 December – 15 January) Established in 1956 by Fr. Louis Coffey, the Moving Crib has now entertained generations of Dubliners. It does more than it says on the tin with a selection of biblical scenes acted out by mechanical puppets including Adam and Eve, Noah’s Ark, the Three Wise Men and of course the Nativity. A reminder of what Christmas is all about.
The Ark, Cultural Centre for Children,11a Eustace Street, Temple Bar, D2: http://www.ark.ie/ ·
The Butterfly Effect: An Arklink Retrospective – (29 November – 7 January) An exhibition celebrating the captivating artwork of the participating children of ArkLink, a six-year programme in the community of Fatima Mansions. Together with resident artists Jole Bortoli, Kieran McNulty and Katie Lincoln, the children have created a imaginative body of original paintings, sculptures and films. A truly inspirational exhibition not to be missed.
Phoenix Park, D8: tel.01-820 5800 ·
Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer – (17 December, 2pm) Take a guided walk with Don Doran, Deer Keeper at the Phoenix Park and meet Rudolph and all his friends before they get ready to take flight around the world on Christmas Eve! This event is organised by the OPW. The James Joyce Centre, 35 North Great George’s Street, D1: http://www.jamesjoyce.ie/ ·
Christmas Magic – (1 – 21 December) The James Joyce Centre will transform from this date into a Victorian wonderland straight out of a Charles Dickens novel. Two period Christmas Trees and sumptuous décor will blend with the smells of mince pies, roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and apple cider, and the sounds of carols from the likes of the Belvedere choir. Every guest will receive a mince pie and a glass of warm spiced apple juice or mulled wine.
 Temple Bar Cultural Trust, East Essex Street, D2: http://www.templebar.ie/ ·
Christmas Movies on the Square – (every Thursday & Saturday in December) All movies take place on Meeting House Square, Temple Bar and are FREE. Movies DO NOT require tickets – just come along! Love Actually – Thursday 7th December, 6pm It’s a Wonderful Life – Saturday 9th December, 8pm Miracle on 34th Street – Thursday 14th December, 6pm The Santa Claus – Saturday 16th December, 8pm Santa Claus the Movie – Thursday 21st December, 6pm Scrooged – Saturday 23rd December, 8pm ·
Temple Bar Christmas Market – (14 – 17 December, 10am – 7pm)
A spectacular outdoor Christmas market in Old City Temple Bar, Essex Street West, for 4 days only this December! Over 50 stallholders will take to the streets offering you that alternative gift this Christmas. Santas in the City! · From Santas Grottos to snow mountains and a word with the man himself about what you want for Christmas – Christmas isn’t Christmas without a visit to see Santa in the City!
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[...] Spotted over on the Dublin Community Blog, details of this year’s Christmas events taking place in the city. [...]
Dan I think you sneaked into my office, took the print out of this off my desk and posted it before I had a chance to!!!!
(Including the pic – ah well its something to post on my own blog:) )
Don’t you just hate it when someone beats you to it!
I went to the Christmas Markets in Dusseldorf last year and they were absolutely amazing. I hope the Georges Dock markets are as good. I’ll leave it up to my fellow bloggers to check it out though because I’ll be off in India enjoying myself next week until Jan
Sorry RedMum, you got me, I did indeed break into your office, I’m a dab hand with a lock-pick!
Actually the real credit should go to whoever wrote the dublincity.ie press release, it was very well put together:
http://www.dublincity.ie/press_news/the_magic_of_christmas_in_dublin_unveiled_.asp
I just got back from the Christmas markets in Salzburg. They were also quite wonderful. A bit of snow would have helped but it still had a great atmosphere with carolers, lights, Christmas trees and gluwein. MMMMM, gluwein. The gluwein is a bit sweeter in Austria than Germany.
hey there!
nice blog! u seem to know ur way around dublin
i arrived here a week back and tryin to set myself up.
i am in dire need of stuff like a warm blanket,pillow and bedsheets… my landlord didnt provide me any
where do u suggest on the city center i go for all these?
thanks in advance…
Sunny
There’s a couple of places you can try Sunny.
You could try Penny’s on O’Connell Street, (you can duvets cheaply as well as bedding), Dunnes Stores, or you could try to Bargain Basement at Arnotts (On Middle Abbey Street).
These are places where you can buy reasonably priced bedding, course if you have more money to spend try Debenams (in the Jervis Centre).
There’s also:
http://www.gumtree.ie/cgi-bin/list_postings.pl?posting_cat=2239
People often give away household items for free on this board.
You can also try Guiney’s on Earl St. North (other side of O’Connell but same street as Henry Street). They tend to have cheap stuff also. Argos may be a good bet, too.
Hard to believe Christmas is already around the corner. I am ready for some Thanksgiving turkey though.
Yeah some Christmas lights look a bit tacky alright, although saying that, the decorations in 4Home superstore look amazing this year. Ill definately be picking up some, I know the Ashbourne store is a bit far out from Dublin but the stuff is gorgeous – and so cheap too! They have amazing lights and great outdoor stuff – way cheaper than Woodies and Dunnes!
2008 Christmas in Dublin.
We’re gearing up for a wonderful Christmas in Dublin again despite recession etc…
Did anyone see our fancy new Christmas Tree on O’Connell Street?
For those looking for accommodation over Christmas and New Year book now for special rates.
Brian.
A.A.D.