|
Christmas is a magical time in Ireland and there are a range of events and
entertainments throughout the island of Ireland in celebration of the festive
period.
Ireland's Christmas Events and Entertainments range from the traditional to
the modern and encompass all cultural life from theatre and music to street life
and sport and there are a host of events throughout the country over Christmas
time.
Ireland's capital city of Dublin boasts a huge
range of Christmas events, from markets to music, giving Christmas shopping
in Dublin a touch of the festive spirit. Kickstarting the Christmas season
in Dublin is the Festival of Light on November 26, a parade of light weaving its
way down Smithfield, O'Connell
Street, Grafton Street and past City Hall before the ceremonial lighting of
the Christmas Tree. In the run up to Christmas Day, the nativity is celebrated
in Dublin with a live animal crib outside Mansion House on Dawson Street and
again for the kids, Santa will be visiting Dublin's City Hall each weekend in
December and he'll be bringing his workshop with him!
Festive musical productions include Yuletide celebrations of Christmas Carols
at the Draiocht arts centre in Blanchardstown (2nd Dec), Malahide Castle (12th
Dec) and at the National Concert Hall (7th & 8th Dec). While the National
Concert Hall presents more festival musical treats include Swingin' in a Winter
Wonderland (5th Dec), remembering the hits of Bing Crosby et al.
Other Christmas entertainments include the Tchaikovsky Perm State Ballet, one
of Russia's flagship Ballet Companies, combined with The RTE National Symphony
Orchestra to present the classic Christmas spectaculars; Sleeping Beauty and the
Nutcracker at the Point Theatre (14th - 17th Dec).
While the old Christmas stage tradition of Pantomime can be seen with
productions of Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs at the Grand Opera House, Belfast from
3rd December to 28th January and Sleeping Beauty at the Millennium Forum, Derry City
from 2nd December to 8th January.
Another kids' Christmas favorite, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer will put in
an appearance at Phoenix Park
Deer Sanctuary in Dublin.
And while on the subject of four legged animals, the Irish horse racing
fraternity celebrates Christmas in true festive style with major national hunt
events; the Leopardstown Christmas Racing Festival, held on St Stephen's Day and
the Guinness Limerick Racing Festival from 26th - 29th December, promising a
Christmas tipple in more ways than one.
For further information on visiting Ireland this Christmas contact one of our vacations
specialists.
If you would like more information about Ireland , our
self-drive Irish
vacations, escorted
coach tours or activity
vacations please contact one of our Ireland based
Guides who can provide you with a free quote.
|
