New Year’s Getaways in Ireland: The Perfect Place for Whatever You’re Looking For

The New Year is coming very soon, and whether you want to see 2011 with a bang or a soft bang, you need to start planning now. There are two types of New Years revelers. The party animal and the laid-back reveler. Whoever you are, you’ll find Ireland to be a fantastic place at New Years and there’s nothing like Irish fun to help you see 2011.

Dublin really comes alive, especially after dark, so simply wandering the city streets at night is an attraction in itself. Partygoers head to Temple Bar, Dublin’s vibrant cultural quarter or, for kids of all ages, why not book tickets to a traditional pantomime like Aladdin at the Gaiety Theatre? Carry on the tradition and ring in the New Year with the sound of the Christchurch bells, which will be heard throughout the city at midnight.

For the laid-back revelers among us, there are plenty of other things to see and do. For a bit of seasonal fun, why not try Galway Bay on Ice? Nimmo’s Pier in the Claddagh area is transformed into a winter wonderland where the whole family can try out their ice skating skills. For the brave, try the thrill of the RNLI New Year’s Day Swim at Dugort Silver Strand. If you don’t mind the cold, jump in or have fun and join the crowds on the shoreline and cheer on the swimmers.

Join the great New Year’s Eve street party in Dingle. The fun begins with a spectacular fireworks display over Dingle Bay at 10pm with locals and visitors alike gathering at The Pier to watch the wonderful show and continues with a tour of the streets of Dingle led by the Dingle Fife and Drum Band. At midnight some 2,000 people gather on The Bridge for the New Year’s countdown.

If you crave more sedate New Years celebrations, Ireland is the place to be. Choose to take a self-catering holiday cottage and you can magically travel to some stunning locations, hide in front of warm peat fireplaces and toast the New Year with the locals in one of the many traditional Irish pubs. Check out Cork, Kerry, Mayo, Donegal and Wexford to find your New Year’s retreat.

So if you want to party the night away or escape the drunken crowds and inflated prices, try the Irish New Year experience. Getting there is easy. Ferry prices are often cheaper than in high season and by booking in advance you can take advantage of lower airfares.