Christmas and New Years in Ireland?
 

I am travelling to Ireland this Christmas through New Years with a mate. Has anyone done such a thing and have an awesome suggestion? We are early twenties, so a bit of fun wouldn't hurt. Are there festivals, readings, or anything? We will be in Dublin for Christmas but haven't decided where to spend New Years. We might be in Northern Ireland at that point, so what about Belfast celebrations? Or in Donegal?

There's usually plenty happening in Dublin for New Years Eve, see link below:

http://www.newyearsevedublin2015.com/

Dublin isn't any different from anywhere else in the country for Christmas Day (the only places open will be the hotels), so if you are able to, would you consider swapping and spending Christmas elsewhere and New Years in Dublin?

We arrive in Dublin on Christmas Eve, so we are quite stuck with that plan. Thanks I'll take a look at the link!

I suggest a hotel that is doing the Christmas eve to St Stephens package.. Ireland fairly well closes the 25/26th As for Newyear,, there are more options than Dublin, Belfast is an option but so would be Galway or Killarney depends on how you are traveling and departure details.

I would avoid cities unless you know there is something specific on. For example Limerick was city of culture this year, so they are likely to have fireworks / some focal point at midnight. Galway doesn't usually have anything on outside of the nightclubs, which is great if you are a 20something clubber but otherwise not. Belfast is well worth checking out.

If you can't find a city with a specific focal point, I would opt for a smaller town where there are atmospheric local pubs. Killarney is a good suggestion.

Or don't worry about what is on in the town / city in general, but pick a particular hotel (for example the Radisson hotel in Galway is in a good location and they normally have a black tie ball for New Years) Maybe for New Year you would consider somewhere like a castle hotel (Adare for example) that might have a function in the hotel.