Fáilte Ireland’s New Year’s Festival Dublin 2023 was officially launched by Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin TD.
The Divine Comedy and The Scratch join the line-up for the four-day city-centre celebration, which runs from 29th December 2023 to 1st January 2024. This year, for the first time, the festival will be delivered in partnership with the Office of Public Works (OPW). Events will be hosted across three iconic Dublin venues; Dublin Castle, the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks, and Meeting House Square, Temple Bar. This year’s programme has over 40 music and entertainment events, including family friendly shows, running across the festival weekend.
The Divine Comedy will headline the National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks on 29th December with special guests The High Kings. Picture This will headline the Countdown Concert at Dublin Castle on 31st December, while The Scratch, Sharon Shannon and Gemma Dunleavy will ring in the New Year at National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks. Other acts just announced include All Tvvins, Lucy McWilliams, Big Sleep, Aonair, DJs Ed Smith, Sally Cinnamon & Kelly-Anne Byrne, Ispíní na hÉireann, Lemoncello, Anamoe Drive, Krea and DJs Nialler9, Claire Beck & Blood Donor (DJ set).
Part of Fáilte Ireland’s ‘Winter in Dublin’ programme, the New Year’s Festival aims to establish Dublin as a must-visit destination to celebrate New Year’s Eve. This year’s festival is expected to attract almost 50,000 domestic and international visitors to the capital city, driving an estimated €8million in tourism revenue and additional economic activity.
Speaking at the official launch, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin TD said, “I am very pleased to officially launch Fáilte Ireland’s New Year’s Festival Dublin programme today. Festivals and events are an important part of the Irish tourism offering and essential for supporting local businesses and communities all year round. These fantastic events are delivered under the strategic partnership between Fáilte Ireland and the Office of Public Works, and I am confident this year’s New Year’s Festival Dublin will encourage more domestic and international visitors to come and explore our capital city over the New Years’ period. This will drive important economic benefits for the city and enhance the work of the Night-Time Economy taskforce.”
Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan added, “we are very proud to partner with the festival, and to welcome people in their thousands to ring in the New Year in some of our truly spectacular locations. As the custodians of these historic buildings for the state, the Office of Public Works is dedicated to the care, protection and promotion of our built heritage. Being able to celebrate Christmas and New Year together again after so much time apart is so important, for children, families, loved ones and friends at this special time of year. We are committed to our strategic partnership with Fáilte Ireland and look forward to hosting more events in 2024. We value the economic driver of tourism within the economy and are eager to welcome even more people to OPW sites in the New Year.”
Orla Carroll, Head of Product Development at Fáilte Ireland, said, “Fáilte Ireland’s New Year’s Festival is back again this year with a fantastic line up of music and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. Festivals are crucial drivers of tourism in Ireland and New Year’s Festival Dublin is no exception. It’s a flagship event in Fáilte Ireland’s Winter in Dublin programme as we expect to welcome almost 50,000 visitors to Dublin City over four days, including over 11,000 from overseas. This will be key in supporting jobs and generating revenue for local businesses and communities during the shoulder season. Working with our partners in the Office of Public Works, we are planning a spectacular four-day programme of events that will position Dublin as must-visit destination for both a winter break and to celebrate the New Year.”
Assistant Secretary General, Head of Heritage & Capital Works Delivery, Office of Public Works, Rosemary Collier said, “the OPW is proud to look after Ireland’s rich national heritage portfolio and we want to share that with as wide an audience as possible, celebrating the transition from 2023 to 2024, listening to a star line-up of Irish bands and musicians. Dublin Castle has witnessed so many seminal events in Irish history. It is an iconic place where we welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and it presents a great setting to gather together after such a challenging few years apart.”
Source: Fáilte Ireland
