Saying Goodbye To 2025

A young Hozier rocks The Hot Spot New Year’s Eve 2021

or most people around here, New Year’s Eve will be greeted snugly and warmly within the comfort of their own home, Greystonians having long ago embraced living la vida sofa.

But there are still a few wild and crazy guys and gals who like to get their kicks joining hands with the living, and for them, saying hello to a whole new year is as good an excuse as any to get silly.

Heck, there may even be mad explorers amongst us who will make it all the way into The Big City for the big gong, where there will be three days of music agus craic. And, of course, a great big fireworks finale.

If that all sounds a little too wet and wild (and late), Howth and Dun Laoghaire are hosting simultaneous fireworks displays at 7pm, both events free. As is Dublin’s Procession of Light parade at 4pm, weaving its way along Dame Street as it heads to Dublin Castle. The central New Year’s Eve countdown concert is a ticketed affair, the main 8pm event already sold out but the Monday 4pm line-up of DJ Shelly Gray plus Florence Road and Biird was still available as we went to press. A family ticket is €24.90, whilst an individual ticket is €9.90.

On Tuesday, there are four free Echoes Of Ireland concerts from 4pm to 8pm, with Cliffords, Madra Salach, Simple Things and Chubby Cat, whilst on New Year’s Day, there’s a lot of free, family-friendly shenanigans at Dublin Castle and Meeting House Square from 1pm to 5pm, with Kila, Chasing Abbey, Grooveline and Still Blue at the former, and Mundy, DUG, The Wran and The Awning at the latter.

You can check out the full Dublin line-up right about here. And figure out what bus or Dart you can get home here.

A little closer to home, The Myle Hi Club are at The Greatest Bar In The Western Hemisphere (or The Harbour Bar, for short), whilst Lee’s Of Kilcoole naturally have a major hooley planned. Kicking off at 9.30pm, DJ Darren is your guide in 2026…

Greystones is relying on people power for its New Year’s Eve, with business as usual in all our fine drinking emporiums and eateries, whereas in Delgany, you’ve got the choice of a live DJ from 9.30pm in The Wicklow Arms or a live Woodsy up the road in The Horse. Young Eoin will be bringing along a four-piece band, including the mildly legendary Anto Drennan on axe duties.

And, eh, that might be about it. We think.

If you hear of any other NYE hootenanny around here, let us know on [email protected].

Suffice to say, here’s to a sunnier, funnier new year…