The first ever Dublin by Night Fest attracted a crowd of over 25,000 and attendees are eager for more safe, family-friendly celebratory events in the city centre, organisers have revealed.
A survey of 265 adults at the celebration of Dublin after dark last week revealed that 90% felt very safe and wanted the event to take place again next year, while 75% said it changed their perception of the city centre. Dublin by Night Fest celebrated the city’s consistent excellence across its evening and night time economy. It marked Dublin’s tenth anniversary since its first Purple Flag, an award for towns with consistently vibrant nightlife. It aimed to generate a fun, safe, family friendly atmosphere in the city centre after dark.
The combined footfall of over 25,000 for Dublin by Night Fest enjoyed a showcase of outdoor live music, food, art and culture. Organisers reported revenues for city centre businesses were boosted by the event, which took place on Drury Street/South William Street and Capel Street. Local business played a huge role through food and market stalls, and businesses not directly involved reported an uptake in trade.
The new festival was jointly organised by Dublin Town, the businesses collective for Dublin City centre and key driver of initiatives around Purple Flag; Dublin City Council, Fáilte Ireland under the Winter in Dublin programme, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and An Garda Síochána.
A spokesperson for the organising collective said, “Dublin by Night Fest proved a fantastic, family friendly two-night celebration of the city’s amazing night-time economy and Purple Flag status.”
A Purple Flag is an award for reaching a standard of excellence in the evening and night time economy through a diverse cultural offering which is non-alcohol dependent, family friendly, safe and vibrant. Dublin is one of just 40 cities in Europe to attain a Purple Flag. Dublin City centre has consistently held Purple Flag status since 2013.
Source: Dublin City Council
