Dublin to help celebrate the Chinese Year of the Monkey

THERE will be a celebration of monkeys, dragons and lions as the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival lights up the city next week.

Dublin’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Críona Ní Dhálaigh, launched one of the most colourful and creative festivals in the city’s calendar as it gets ready to return on February 6.

For two weeks the capital will be transformed into a city of carnivals, culture, celebration and dragons as the Chinese welcome in the Year of the Monkey.

The ninth year of this vibrant festival will be bigger than ever and will run until February 21.

 The Dublin Chinese New Year Festival programme is a showcase of the very best of Chinese culture in Dublin and performers will even be flying all the way in from China to give Dubliners a real of taste of Chinese traditions.

From carnivals to cooking and singing to storytelling, the programme will highlight the diverse spectrum of Chinese culture in Dublin over a packed two week schedule. Kicking off the festival on February 6 will be the Spring Festival Carnival Experience in the chq Building, Custom House Quay.

Full details are available on www.dublinchinesenewyear.com