Thousands descend on capital for three-day New Year's celebration

The ham and turkey leftovers are diminished, Santa Claus has been and gone, and the countdown to 2015 has well and truly begun.

Welcoming 2015 in style, Dublin’s inaugural three-day New Year’s festival kicked off yesterday.

The citywide event features a host of arts and cultural events, as well as live entertainment tonight from Kodaline, James Vincent McMorrow, and Walking on Cars.

More than 12,000 people are expected to attend the sold-out concert, which takes place at College Green from 8pm to 12.30am.

A host of free and family friendly events have been organised including a food village at Barnardos Square, Procession of Light from St Stephen’s Green to Dublin Castle, and a fun run on New Year’s Day.

Famous Dublin buildings are also getting in on the action, with Trinity College, Dublin Castle, and Wolfe Tone Square all featuring 3D projections.

The landmarks will be lit up from 5pm to midnight today and tomorrow.

In addition, tourists and locals alike are invited to discover Dublin by taking part in one of the Love Dublin events — the NYF Arts Trail features gallery tours, talks, and pop-up performances, while NYF Spoken Word Festival brings together the best of Irish wit, poetry slam, and literature, with lively discussion and debate.

Tourism Minister Paschal Donohoe is confident the celebrations will promote Ireland as a Christmas destination and rounds off an “exceptional year” in terms of tourism.

“The advent of so many additional markets and festive activities around the country this year is adding to the perception that we are a destination with something special to offer,” he said.

“Media and travel operators from across the globe are flying in to see how Ireland does festivals.

“I am confident that they will leave early in the New Year impressed by our offering and with plans to encourage additional visitors to Ireland across 2015.”

Orla Carroll of Fáilte Ireland shared Mr Donohoe’s optimism and dubbed the event an opportunity to “raise the profile” of Ireland.

“With a mix of music, culture, and craic, Dublin is extending an invitation to the world to come and mark the arrival of the New Year in one of the friendliest cities in the world,” she said.

“This year’s New Year’s festival promises to be the most impressive end-of-year celebration the city has ever seen.”

NYF Dublin is a joint venture from Fáilte Ireland and Dublin City Council.

For more information, or to view the full programme of events, go to www.nyfdublin.com