“What are we going to do for New Year’s Eve?” It’s a question nearly as old as the celebration itself. It can be a real hassle trying to decide where to go and what to do when it is time to see out the year in style. When people think about New Year’s Eve in Ireland, they usually associate Dublin city centre as the place to go to ring in the New Year. Sure, Dublin is a great place to celebrate and sing Auld Lang Syne when the clock strikes midnight and the New Year has arrived.

However, it should be noted that there is tons of fun to be had on New Years outside the pale you joyfully wave goodbye to the old year and welcome the new one with open arms. Here are some alternative destinations to ring in the New Year and party like its 1999…even though it isn’t.

Limerick

Limerick is really upping its game for New Year’s Eve this year. The reason for this perhaps is that next year will see the city being crowned the City of Culture. Therefore, this New Years Eve the city council will definitely be very eager to impress and put on a real show. There’s something for everyone with a City of Culture Pageant that will see hundreds of professional performers and community groups acting out an epic story of hope and new beginnings. There is also a huge parade planned that will see thousands of people lighting up the city streets, carrying glowing lanterns. Throw in the huge fireworks display and a fabulous concert featuring top Irish names like Maverick Sabre, The Cranberries and The Strypes. New Year’s Eve in Limerick will be hard to beat this December 31st.

Galway

Heading ‘whest’ to Galway city is a good time whenever you go there. It is a place that appeals to all types of people of all ages. There is something for everyone here that’s for sure. Last year a Hotels.com survey found that most Irish people said that the city was their preferred New Year’s Eve destination. This is not really that surprising given the fact that Galway has down the years earned a reputation for being the place to go for a good time. There is so much on offer in Galway that it’s hard to know where to begin. You can relax in one of city’s many fabulous hotels; celebrate with the locals and tourists in any of the pubs in the city’s famous Spanish Quarter or dance the night away on the tiles in a whole host of bars and nightclubs. Or maybe you could head out to Galway bay and watch the sun set for the final time in 2013. Whatever you do, you won’t be disappointed.

Dingle

Dingle is the place to go for those who are looking for a more tranquil and relaxed way to ring in the New Year. There’s plenty to do in Dingle on New Year’s Eve and huge celebrations are planned on the streets every December 31st. From 10pm onwards, you can catch the fantastic fireworks display over the bay from The Pier. Afterwards you can walk around the streets of the town being lead by the Dingle Fife and Drum Band. It isn’t exactly Times Square, but it’s pretty great.
Kilkenny

The Marble City was certainly the place to be last New Year’s Eve and judging by the success of last year’s celebrations we’re sure there’ll be plenty of party goers making their way to the Medieval streets this December 31st. Kilkenny was recently voted the 9th friendliest city in the world by Conde Nast travellers and the city has without doubt made a name for itself as a tourist haven in Ireland. If you scroll through the websites of some of the city’s hotels you will see that there is no end to the fantastic options on offer for visitors.

Shamanic Gathering in Meath

This is for those who want a completely unique New Years Eve experience. Dunderry Park in Navan offers a very special New Year’s gathering. Shamanism Ireland will this year host an evening complete with a Sacred Circle for sharing your hopes and desires for the coming year, drumming, chanting, dancing and arrow break to build up the energy for the Firewalk. This is followed by a fireworks display, some Chinese Lanterns, a Trance Dance and Party Time. It’s not for everyone but it is definitely something different.