AN ESTIMATED 10,000 revellers enjoyed the inaugural New Year’s Eve free open air concert in Dublin city centre. Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar said the event had run so successfully it would be greatly expanded in future years.
“I think for next year it’s something we’re going to build on. We’re going to have a bigger party; more stages, more music, more people and bigger fireworks.”
“So I think it’s a really good start for what could be a bigger celebration in years to come.”
The New Year’s Eve Countdown Concert at College Green included a variety of Irish acts such as Paul Brady, Bressie, Damien Dempsey, the Coronas and some of the Riverdance troupe. Gardaí said while there were a small number of public order incidents in the south inner city on the night, none appeared to be linked to the concert.
“We have no reports of anything serious happening at all,” a Garda source said.
The concert was one of the final events of the maiden three-day NYE Dublin Festival, which involved a number of free public events, including an outdoor skating rink on Wolfe Tone Quay.
The “Big Brunch” in Temple Bar’s Meeting House Square yesterday featured a Vintage Tea Dance and music from the Electric Ceili and the Fingal County Youth Orchestra.
The festival also included a children’s rattle’n’roll disco in City Hall and a New Year’s Eve concert in St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral.
The festival was produced and promoted by Davis Events and supported by Fáilte Ireland, Dublin City Council and Dublin City Business Improvement District.
