Tag Archives: Christmas

Beyond the lecture hall, Events, Living in Dublin, Student Perspectives

Things to do this Christmas

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Continuing on from last week, our Student Ambassadors take another look at what activities students can get up to in Dublin over the Christmas break.

1. “I Believe” Christmas Tree & Village

  • www.ibelieveinchristmas.ie/
  • Ireland’s first Winter Food, Drink, Craft and Horticulture Festival.
  • Location: Custom House Quarter, Dublin 1
  • Dates: Daily from now till 23rd December 2015
  • Entry: Free
  • Times:
    • i. Monday- Wednesday: 11am – 9pm
    • ii. Thursday-Friday: 11am – 10pm
    • iii. Saturday: 10am – 10pm
    • iv. Sunday: 10am – 9pm

2. Dundrum Ice Skating

  • www.dundrumonice.ie/opening-times-prices/
  • Location: Dundrum Shopping Centre, Dundrum, Co. Dublin
  • Dates: Daily from now till 31st January 2016 (closed on 25th December 2015)
  • Skating session begins on the hour
  • Bring: thick socks & gloves
  • Entry: €12 (First three sessions per day) / €14 (remaining sessions)
  • Times:
    • i. Monday-Friday: 3pm-9pm
    • ii. Saturday-Sunday: 10am-7pm

3. Blanchardstown Ice Skating

  • www.iceskating.ie/hours1
  • Location: Blanchardstown Centre, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15,
  • Dates: Daily from now till 10th January 2016
    • i. closed on 25th December 2015
    • ii. closes at 5pm on 24th & 26th December 2015
  • Bring: thick socks & gloves
  • Entry: €10 for students on Mondays / €12-16 other times
  • Times:
    • i. Monday-Friday: 3pm-10pm
    • ii. Saturday-Sunday: 10:30am-10pm

4. A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens

5. Dublin Flea Market Christmas Cracker 2015

  • www.dublinflea.ie
  • Dublin’s biggest indoor Christmas Market
  • Location: John Player factory building, South Circular Road, Dublin 8
  • Dates: 11th-13th December
  • Entry: Free
  • Times:
    • i. Friday 12-7pm
    • ii. Saturday-Sunday 11-6pm

6. Live Animal Crib

  • www.dublinatchristmas.ie/whats-on-events/live-animal-crib-mansionhouse
  • This year marks the 21st anniversary of this traditional nativity scene. The IFA Live Animal Crib has been a joint venture between Dublin City Council and the Irish Farmers’ Association since 1995.
  • Location: Mansion House, Dublin 2
  • Dates: 8th-23rd December
  • Entry: free
  • Times: 11am-6pm

7. The Snowman

  • www.nch.ie/Online/The-Snowman-Dec-15
  • Location: Main Auditorium, The National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2
  • Dates: 18th-20th December
  • Prices: €22
  • Times
    • i. Friday 2.30pm & 5pm,
    • ii. Saturday 12pm, 2.30pm, 5pm & 7pm
    • iii. Sunday 7pm

8. Diva Voces Annual Christmas Concert

9. Mornington Singers Christmas Concert

10. Maybe Bono?

  • Bono possibly MIGHT be singing! (He usually does this every year) Watch out for social media updates about him.
  • Location: Grafton Street
  • Date: 24th December
  • Entry: Free
Events, Living in Dublin, Student Perspectives, Uncategorized

Christmas in Dublin

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With the weather getting colder by the day and the tree finally up in Front Square, it’s safe to say the festive season has arrived. Dublin at Christmas is a wonderful place; full of twinkling lights and Christmas spirit.

Christmas Markets

One of the best ways to truly soak up the Christmas spirit around Dublin is visiting the various Christmas markets which pop up around the city. Last year there was a wonderful christmas market by Stephens Green, however due to the on going road works and LUAS extension, it has proven unfeasible to host again. Therefore the main Dublin Christmas market is the I Believe Christmas festival. This market will run for 28 days in the lead-up to Christmas from Thursday, 26th November until Wednesday, 23rd December at the exceptional setting of Custom House Quarter in Dublin, which includes George’s Dock, The chq Building and its surrounding area. It will comprise of the usual festive market stalls as well as a 50 foot Christmas Tree. The festival will also have a Scandinavian themed pop up Bar, Après Ski, which will provide the ideal location for an apéritif, corporate functions, or as the perfect party starter for you and your friends this festive season.

Christmas in the streets

Yet the Christmassy feeling is not solely restricted to the market stalls. Walk anywhere in Dublin City in December and you’ll no doubt be walking under dazzling lights and Christmas decorations. Some shops, such as Brown Thomas on Grafton Street, have massive Christmas themed window displays which are a must see. Simply take a walk down Dublin’s main shopping streets (such as Grafton Street, O’Connell Street and Henry Street) and you’ll be fully immersed in that Christmas feeling.

Ice Skating

One of the most popular crazes of recent winters is going from strength to strength each year. There are now 5 ice skating rinks located around Dublin; two within easy reach for Trinity Students.

Firstly, iSkate at the RDS is Ireland’s largest rink. iSkate is Ireland’s coolest ice skating event running until 10 January 2016 at the Winter Funderland in the RDS in Dublin. iSkate is not just Ireland’s newest ice rink, it is also the largest with over 1,000 square metres of real ice! Ice Skating sessions at iSkate last for 50 minutes and it is essential that you arrive at the rink at least 20 minutes before your session is due to begin. More information can be found here.

Secondly, Dundrum on Ice is located at the Dundrum Shopping Centre, only 20 mins away from Stephens Green on the Green Line LUAS. Similar to iSkate, sessions last for 50 minutes and you should arrive at least 20 minutes before your session starts. More information can be found here.

The Christmas Panto

A staple tradition of many Irish childhoods is a trip to the Christmas Panto. From singing songs to screaming “He’s behind you!”, the Christmas Panto is an entertaining and fun filled night out in Dublin. Check out here for a list of Pantos on in Dublin this Christmas

Crib On Dawson Street

A stone’s throw away from Trinity College is a traditional nativity scene set with live animals in a specially constructed life size stable. The Mansion House on Dawson Street will host this event, one which has become a beloved Christmas tradition among Dubliners as it brings a bit of the countryside straight into the heart of the city.

Sing along with Bono

Last, but not least, if you are still in Dublin city on Christmas Eve you may get a chance to see Bono from U2 singing live on Grafton Street. He doesn’t show up every single year but he does more often than not pop up with celebrity friends in and around Grafton Street in the evening. Keep an eye on Twitter and Facebook on the evening of the 24th and wait to see if he shows.

Living in Dublin

The Christmas season begins in the Heart of the City

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Hi Everyone!

I hope that everyone had a great Reading Week. Guess what? Christmas is just around the corner (exciting!) If you’re not going home for Christmas this year have no fear, Dublin has some great offers and fun activities that you & your friends can enjoy.

ice

Personally one of my favorite activities around Christmas time is going ice-skating. My favorite spot to ice skate is in the RDS, they do student discounts, which is a great for us on a budget. Don’t worry if Ice Skating isn’t your thing, there’s always ‘Funderland’ (about 10 minutes walk from the RDS). Funderland is an annual event around Christmas time with array of attractions to suit all ages and tastes. There’s large varieties of activities, such as roller-coaster rides, bumper cars and rides that spin you around! If these don’t sound like your thing, don’t worry there’s lots of skill-based games to try. These activities give you and your friends the chance to challenge each other to win prizes, such as soft toys and technology.

This year there is a Christmas Market at St. Stephens Green. It’s the first ever city centre traditional Christmas market in Dublin! It will have more than 60 trade concessions located in traditional wooden chalets (sounds very Christmassy and exciting!) They will run along the exterior of St Stephen’s Green Park, between Grafton Street and Merrion Row. The Christmas market offers a large unique selection of quality Irish made handcraft that can make the ideal Christmas presents. There is a large variety of handcrafts, such as accessories, woodcrafts, jams, seasonal prints (postcards, Christmas cards), food, drinks, chocolate fountain & more!

dameThe Dame District (located just behind Dame Street and parallel to George’s street) has always been an epicenter of activity for locals, but during Christmas time it gets funkier and better than ever. The Dame District Christmas market is fun festival place to visit around this time of the year. It’s been happening for 3 years now, with over 24 stalls to visit.

As a coffee lover, Starbucks Christmas drinks are something I look forward to every year. Starbucks brings out their full body seasonal spice notes, seasonal blend to capture the spirit of Christmas. Their savory season treats just make your mouth water! With branches right on Trinity’s doorstep, you can grab a warming cup between lectures.

graftonDublin is the city that has something for everyone. Christmas time is a time for shopping, and Dublin will make sure that you shop till you drop! Dublin City has a large range of shopping centres (all equipped with many shops that make your heart beat just a little faster).

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas & Happy New Years.  Enjoy the break and stay warm!

Cindy is a Science Student & Global Relations Ambassador.