Gavin James to headline New Year’s Eve event

DETAILS of the seventh New Year's Festival Dublin (NYF Dublin) event were revealed last week with a series of spectacular events lined up to bring in the New Year.

Platinum-selling artist Gavin James was announced as the headliner for the 3Countdown Concert at Custom House with special guests Hudson Taylor, Wild Youth and Inhaler.

New Year's Festival Dublin also announced the return of their very special family-friendly countdown event, the Liffey Lights Midnight Moment Matinee, and Midnight Moment. 

A Fáilte Ireland and Dublin City Council initiative, produced and promoted by MCD Productions, these three events are designed to ring in 2019 in celebratory style.

These are free events but tickets will need to be booked in advance. Booking details will be announced on www.nyfdublin.com at the end of November.

The Liffey Lights Midnight Moment will signal the end of 2018 and the arrival of the New Year with a dazzling lighting spectacle performed against the backdrop of the Custom House. Live DJs and percussionists will perform on the water harmony as lasers and lights illuminate the midnight sky over Dublin City.

The free event will start at 11.30pm with excitement building to a crescendo as the clock strikes midnight.

Earlier in the evening, the special family-friendly countdown event – Liffey Lights Midnight Moment Matinee – will enable families and friends of all ages to ring in the New Year together with entertainment starting at 6pm leading to the earlier countdown spectacle at 7pm. Little ones will watch in delight and amazement as laser lights and aqua beams dance through the sky in perfect rhythm with the music to count down to the New Year together. 

 Cllr Nial Ring, Lord Mayor of Dublin, said: “We are very excited to be bringing the New Year’s Festival to the streets of Dublin once again. This year promises to provide a bigger and better party than ever for locals and visitors alike, while also providing an opportunity to show case our beautiful city on a global stage. Let’s ring in the New Year as only we can.”

 Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin, added: “I’m delighted to see such a fantastic line up of events announced for the New Year’s Festival. Once again, it promises to be a great celebration of both the New Year and our capital city. It not only provides a boost for the tourism industry in Dublin but with international media in attendance, it will highlight all that Ireland has to offer to visitors around the globe.”

 Paul Kelly, CEO, Fáilte Ireland said: “A highlight in our festival calendar, we are delighted to work with Dublin City Council and MCD Productions once again on the New Year’s Festival to deliver a fresh, fun and exciting programme of events to celebrate the New Year in our capital city. 

“Festivals and events are crucial to the tourism sector and give overseas visitors to Ireland a unique opportunity to experience the very best of our culture, people and places, and this event is part of our strategy to grow off season tourism. With all eyes on New Year celebrations in major cities across the world, the New Year’s Festival is a great opportunity for us to showcase Dublin and Ire-land as a fantastic visitor destination and a top location to ring in the New Year to an international audience.” 

For additional information on all other NYF Dublin events visit the website www.NYFDublin.com.