A Dublin City Centre Christmas
Tuesday the 31st of October 2006
Dublin City Council, t.01 222 2222: www.dublincity.ie
The Festival of Light - (26 November)
This year's traditional Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is being integrated with the Parade of Light. Four individual parades departing from Smithfield, Grafton Street, City
Hall and the Docklands will converge on O'Connell Street for the
lighting ceremony. A symbol of community and hope, this event will be a magical way to kickstart the Christmas season. Bring the whole family and join in with the rest of the city to celebrate Christmas!
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 / 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 contributes to a sense of the 'White Christmas' Bing Crosby sang about. Everyone can get a chance to bump and slide on the ice or you can relax at the rink side Ice Cafe! 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: 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: 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: 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 Espírito
Santo (Until 21 January) and All Hawaii Entrées (Until 18 February)
Dublin City Gallery - The Hugh Lane, Parnell Square North, D1: 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: 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 / 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: 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!
Contemporary Music Centre, 19 Fishamble Street, Temple Bar, D8: 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: 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: 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: 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! Each of the city's leading shopping centres and departments stores have
a Santa; contact Arnotts, Clery's, Ilac Centre, Stephen's Green
Shopping Centre and Jervis Shopping Centre.
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.
Dublin City Council, t.01 222 2222: www.dublincity.ie
The Festival of Light - (26 November)
This year's traditional Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is being integrated with the Parade of Light. Four individual parades departing from Smithfield, Grafton Street, City Hall and the Docklands will converge on O'Connell Street for the lighting ceremony. A symbol of community and hope, this event will be a magical way to kickstart the Christmas season. Bring the whole family and join in with the rest of the city to celebrate Christmas!
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 / 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 contributes to a sense of the 'White Christmas' Bing Crosby sang about. Everyone can get a chance to bump and slide on the ice or you can relax at the rink side Ice Cafe! 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: 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: 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: 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 Espírito Santo (Until 21 January) and All Hawaii Entrées (Until 18 February)
Dublin City Gallery - The Hugh Lane, Parnell Square North, D1: 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: 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 / 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: 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!
Contemporary Music Centre, 19 Fishamble Street, Temple Bar, D8: 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: 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: 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: 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! Each of the city's leading shopping centres and departments stores have a Santa; contact Arnotts, Clery's, Ilac Centre, Stephen's Green Shopping Centre and Jervis Shopping Centre.
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.