champagne will be flowing almost everywhere tomorrow night, except at the capital's largest millennium celebration because of a ban on alcohol.
The revellers at the free concert in Merrion Square, Dublin, on New Year's Eve, who could number up to 30,000, are to be searched for cans and bottles as they enter the site, a spokesman for the Millennium Committee said yesterday.
"People can still wander in and out of the area to go to pubs, but there will be no alcohol. We don't want people getting tanked up," the spokeswoman said.
According to Mr Denis Desmond, of concert promoters MCD, the alcohol ban is for safety reasons.
He said the potential lack of bubbly had not deterred people, who snapped up the 20,000 free tickets within minutes of their release after being attracted by acts such as David Gray and Divine Comedy.
"People will be cold so they will be looking for hot drinks like soup, which will be available at the concert," Mr Desmond said. New Year's Eve was "not about getting out of it", he added.
However, it is feared people may try to get round the ban by bringing hip flasks or other receptacles for their alcoholic drinks.
Sgt John Harnett, of Pearse Street Garda station, said gardai would be at Merrion Square throughout the afternoon and evening to ensure the ban is kept in place.
He said the estimated 10,000 who will gather for the afternoon part of the concert, for which a ticket is not required, will be prevented from consuming alcohol. In the evening, those gaining access to the ticket-only area will be searched for cans, bottles and anything that could be used as an offensive weapon.
While the sober concert-goers can look forward to a dry millennium, umbrellas are among the list of potential weapons gardai say may be confiscated.
According to Met Eireann they may be needed tomorrow afternoon, but although it will be very cold, with temperatures falling to 2to 4 Celsius overnight, any cloud and rain is expected to have cleared the east coast by 6 p.m.
The prediction for midnight is cold with clear skies - perfect weather for fireworks.
Meanwhile, after talks last night, taxi-drivers are still threatening to boycott the city unless they receive an additional £5.
Dublin Corporation law agents have been asked to examine whether the local authority can introduce special bonuses.
Buses and trains have been laid on to ferry people home from the capital when the celebrations are over. Nitelink buses will operate until 2.30 a.m. and two late-night DART trains are scheduled for 12.45 a.m. and 1 a.m.
A preview of the millennium fireworks display will take place this evening at 6.15 p.m, in Dublin, apparently "to allow people to determine the best vantage points for the New Year's Eve fireworks display".