Ireland Christmas Guide – 40 things to do around Ireland this Christmas
As soon as the fireworks stop on Halloween night, everyone in Ireland's attention quickly moves on to Christmas. Most of the major Christmas events around Ireland tend to get started around mid November but you will start to see Winter Lights events popping up in your area over the next week.
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This Ireland Christmas Guide will provide you with some of the best things to around Ireland over the next few weeks.
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Christmas Markets In Ireland
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Everyone loves a good Christmas Market and there are several good options for getting your fill of hot chocolate and mulled wine – here are some of the best Christmas Markets in Ireland happening this year.
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1) Winterval Waterford Christmas Market
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Winterval is Ireland's largest Christmas market and is recognised as the European City of Christmas 2024. This year's event will include lots of new attractions and free and ticketed events suitable for all ages.
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Dates: 15th November to 23rd December
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Information: https://winterval.ie/
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Where to stay: Faithlegg Hotel
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2) Galway Christmas Market, Eyre Square
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Galway Christmas market returns for its 14th year with over 50 stalls and almost half a million visitors expected this year.
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Dates: 8th November to 5th January
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Times: 12 noon until 8pm Mon-Wed; 10am-10pm Thurs-Sat; 10am-8pm Sunday
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Information: https://www.christmasmarketgalway.com/
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Where to stay: Menlo Park Hotel
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3) Belfast Christmas Market
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Belfast Christmas Market is back again this year at Belfast City Hall, with tons of great suppliers providing specialty cheeses, burgers and artisan products.
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Dates: 16th November to 22nd December
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Information: https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/christmasmarket
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4) Dublin Castle Christmas Market
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The Courtyard of Dublin Castle will again feature over 25 stalls with food and crafts from local suppliers – a great option to visit if you are in Dublin City centre.
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Dates: 6th December to 19th December
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Information: https://www.visitdublin.com/christmas-at-the-castle-2023
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Where to stay:
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5) Christmas at the Milk Market, Limerick
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The Milk Market will be running a number of one off events throughout the month of December, from food markets to vintage fairs.
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Dates: 1st December to 24th December
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Information: https://www.milkmarketlimerick.ie/news/christmas-at-the-milk-market-2024/
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Where to stay:
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6) Wicklow Christmas Market
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Dates: 23rd November to 22nd December
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Information: https://wicklowchristmasmarket.ie/
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Where to stay: Druids Glen
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7) Cork Christmas Market
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Dates: 15th November to 30th December
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Information: https://www.corkcity.ie/en/a-cork-christmas-celebration/
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Where to stay:
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Christmas Events in Ireland
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8) Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo
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Spectacular night time experience suitable for all ages where you will be taken on a journey through time.
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Dates: 24th October to 5th January from 5-9pm daily
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Entry Fee: Tickets range from 18 to 25 Euro; Under 3 years old and carers can enter for free
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Information: https://www.dublinzoo.ie/wildlights/
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9) Winter Lights at Merrion Square, Dublin
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Dates: 1st to 22nd December from 5pm-9pm
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Entry Fee: 2 Euro per adult – each adult ticket admits two children. Tickets are limited to a maximum of 4 adult tickets per person.
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Information: https://dublinwinterlights.ie/dublin-winter-lights-merrion-square/
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10) Enchanted Garden Winter Lights at Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens, Tramore, Waterford
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Dates: 29th November to 31st December from 4:30pm to 7:30pm
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Entry Fee: 8 Euro for Adult; 4 Euro for Under 15
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Information: https://www.lafcadiohearngardens.com/winter-lights/
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11) Yulefest, Kilkenny
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A series of festive events being held throughout Kilkenny from November to January. Highlights include a Christmas market, tree festival and Santa experience.
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Dates: 30th November to Early January
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Entry Fee: Varies depending on event
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Information: https://yulefestkilkenny.ie/
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12) Enchanted Lights at Antrim Castle
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This festive family event runs for over three weeks at Antrim Castle. Local residents will receive a discounted rate and there are specific inclusive nights on the 4th and 11th December catering for anyone with additonal needs.
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Dates: 29th November to 21st December from 4:30pm to 9:30pm
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Entry Fee: £10.50 Adult; £32.00 Family; £7.50 Under 18; Free for Under 3; Discounted rates for local residents
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Information: https://enchantedwintergarden.com/
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13) Wonder Lights at Malahide Castle, Dublin
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Dates: 7th November to 4th January
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Entry Fee:
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Adult €15.00 to €25.50
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Child (2-12 yrs) €15.00 to €23.50
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Student (13-18 yrs) €15.00 to €21.50
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OAP €15.00 to €21.50
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Infant (under 2 years) Free
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Carer Free
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Information: https://www.wonderlights.ie/
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14) Wonder Lights at Fota Island, Cork
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Dates: 16th November to 4th January
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Entry Fee:
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Adult €15.00 to €25.50
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Child (2-12 yrs) €15.00 to €23.50
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Student (13-18 yrs) €15.00 to €21.50
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OAP €15.00 to €21.50
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Infant (under 2 years) Free
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Carer Free
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Information: https://www.wonderlights.ie/
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15) Christmas at Hillsborough Castle, Down
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Dates: 23rd November to 5th January
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Entry Fee:
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Information: https://www.hrp.org.uk/hillsborough-castle/whats-on/christmas-at-hillsborough-castle-and-gardens/
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16) Elf Town Galway
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Dates: November 22nd to December 23rd
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Entry Fee:
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Adult €19.95
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Child €29.95
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Child under 13 months: €9.95
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Price Includes:
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Santa Visit
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4 floors of amazing Christmas Actvities
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Information: https://elftowngalway.ie/more-details-galway/#datesgalway
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17) Adventure Lights at Sky Park, Louth
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Explore 4 exciting zones of light trails split into fun, adventure, mythological and extinction.
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Dates: 26th October to 5th February
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Entry Fee: Adult 20 Euro; Child Over 3 20 Euro; Child Under 3 Free
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Early Bird Offer available where one child ticket includes an accompanying adult
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Information: https://skypark.ie/adventure-lights/
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18) Bunratty Castle Trail of Lights, Clare
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Dates:
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Entry Fee:
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Adult: €20 per person
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Child: €39.95 per person
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Baby 0-12 months: €10 per person
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Price includes:
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Personal visit with Santa Claus and Gift
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Full access to Bunratty Folk Park Trail of Lights Experience
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Ms Claus in the Golden Vale Farmhouse
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Polar Express Train Ride
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Giant Festive Illuminated Displays
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Tunnel of Lights
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Puppet & Magic Shows (*weekends only)
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Traditional Christmas Tales with our resident Seanchaí
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Meet Christmas Characters on the Village Street
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Toddler Play Area
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Festive Themed Shops
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Information: https://www.bunrattycastle.ie/christmas/christmas2024/
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19) Enchanted Christmas at Johnstown Castle
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Dates: 1st to 23rd December
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Entry Fee:
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Adults – starting at €15.00 per adult.
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Children – starting at €25.00 per child.
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Infants under 1 Year – €12.00 per infant
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Price includes:
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Guided Theatrical Experience through our beautifully decorated Christmas Castle.
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An Individual family meeting with Santa.
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A chance to hand pick a gift for each child.
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Hot Beverage included (Hot chocolate for kids. Americano or Tea for Adults).
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The opportunity for plenty of photographs.Guided Theatrical Experience through our beautifully decorated Christmas Castle.
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An Individual family meeting with Santa.
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A chance to hand pick a gift for each child.
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Hot Beverage included (Hot chocolate for kids. Americano or Tea for Adults).
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The opportunity for plenty of photographs.
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Information: https://johnstowncastle.rezgo.com/details/323262/an-enchanted-christmas-at-johnstown-castle-2023
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20) Elf Town Dublin
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Dates: November 22nd to December 23rd
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Entry Fee:
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Adult €19.95
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Child €29.95
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Child under 13 months: €9.95
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Price Includes:
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Santa Visit
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4 floors of amazing Christmas Actvities
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Information: http://elftowndublin.ie
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21) American Folk Park Museum, Tyrone
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Dates: 6th December to 3rd January 10am to 4pm
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Entry Fee:
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Adult £12.50
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Child £7.65
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Student and Over 60: £9.75
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Carers, Child Under 5, Members and Accessible tickets are free
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*Please note that there is a separate pricing model for weekends and for visiting Santa
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Information: https://www.ulsteramericanfolkpark.org/whats-on/christmas-ulster-american-folk-park
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Christmas Lights Switch on Dates in Ireland
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22) Dublin
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Date: TBC
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Time: TBC
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Information:
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23) Cork
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Date: 15th November
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Time: TBC
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Information: https://www.corkcity.ie/en/a-cork-christmas-celebration/corkmas%20christmas%20parade/
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24) Galway
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Date: 8th November (TBC)
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Time: TBC
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Information: https://www.galwaytourism.ie/event/light-up-galway/
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25) Waterford
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Date: 15th November
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Time: 6pm
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Information: https://winterval.ie/event/winterval-launch-event
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26) Belfast
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Date: 16th November
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Time: 6pm
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Tickets: Available from 11am on the 5th November
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Information: https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/christmaslights
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27) Derry
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Date: 22nd November
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Time: 4pm-8:15pm
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Information: https://www.visitderry.com/whats-on/christmas-light-switch-on-p852291
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Ice Skating Rinks in Ireland
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27) Sligo
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Where: Sligo on Ice
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When: 28th November to 5th January
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Cost:
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Adult €19
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Child €16
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Family of 4 €59
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Information: https://www.sligococo.ie/sligoonnice/
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28) Dun Laoghaire
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Where: Alpine Skating Trail Dun Laoghaire, Dublin
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Cost:
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Adult Ticket €21.00
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U-18 Ticket| €18.00
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Family Of 3 Ticket €53.00
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Family Of 4 Ticket €66.00
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Family Of 5 Ticket €79.00
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Family Of 6 Ticket €92.00
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Student (Weds) €16.00
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Information: https://iceskating.ie/
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29) Blanchardstown
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Where: Alpine Skating Trail Blanchardstown, Dublin
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Cost:
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Adult Ticket €21.00
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U-18 Ticket| €18.00
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Family Of 3 Ticket €53.00
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Family Of 4 Ticket €66.00
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Family Of 5 Ticket €79.00
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Family Of 6 Ticket €92.00
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Student (Weds) €16.00
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Information: https://iceskating.ie/
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30) Dundonald
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Where: Dundonald Ice Rink, Antrim
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Cost:
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Information: https://www.theicebowl.com/activities/ice-skating
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31) Cork
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Where: Alpine Skating Trail Pairc ui Chaoimh, Cork
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Cost:
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Adult Ticket €21.00
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U-18 Ticket| €18.00
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Family Of 3 Ticket €53.00
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Family Of 4 Ticket €66.00
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Family Of 5 Ticket €79.00
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Family Of 6 Ticket €92.00
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Student (Weds) €16.00
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Information: https://iceskating.ie/
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32) Waterford
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Where: Waterford on Ice, The Quay, Waterford
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When: 15th November to 5th January
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Cost:
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Adult €19.00
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Child €17.00
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Family of 4 €58
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Information: https://www.onice.ie/locations/waterford
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Christmas Themed Bars and Restaurants in Ireland
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33) The Ginger Man, Dublin
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34) Hole in the Wall, Dublin
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35) The Temple Bar, Dublin
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36) The Harbour Bar, Wicklow
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37) O'Donoghue's, Kerry
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38) O'Connor's, Galway
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39) Arthur Mayne's, Cork
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40) O'Connell's, Meath
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