Second thrilling ‘Dublin by Night Fest’ will celebrate city centre after dark

Dublin City centre is to again host two thrilling night time celebrations next month to recognise its award for consistent excellence across its evening and night time economy.

After the success of last year’s inaugural event, the second annual Dublin by Night Fest will mark the city retaining the prestigious Purple Flag – presented to cities with consistently vibrant, family friendly nightlife.

Last year’s events attracted 25,000 people to the city centre across two nights.

This year will see Dublin by Night Fest grow with a new additional city centre location – ‘Alive After Five’.

Events will take place on Friday, November 1 on Drury Street, South William Street and the new venue of Central Plaza, Dame Street.

On Saturday November 2, Capel Street and Lower Mary Street are at the heart of the action.

Dublin by Night Fest was launched by Lord Mayor of Dublin James Geoghegan and Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD.

For the second year, the festival is jointly organised by Dublin Town, the businesses collective for Dublin City centre and key driver of initiatives around Purple Flag; Dublin City Council, Fáilte Ireland under the Winter in Dublin programme, and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

It is supported by An Garda Síochána.

Events will include lively, outdoor evening and night time street activity, including live music from the city’s up and coming artists, animation, art and culture, market stalls from local shops and food stalls from nearby restaurants.

There will also be cookery demonstrations by top Dublin City chefs.

A Purple Flag is an award for reaching a standard of excellence in the evening and night time economy through a diverse cultural offering which is non-alcohol dependent, family friendly, safe and vibrant.

Dublin City centre has consistently held Purple Flag status since 2013. It is awarded for two years.

Organisers have pointed out that public transport in the capital operates ‘later than you think’ through night time Luas, Dart and trains. Dublin bus offers 24-hour services across 10 routes, as well as Nightlink services.

According to Lord Mayor of Dublin, James Geoghegan, the city should be proud of its continuing Purple Flag status.

“The Purple Flag initiative is about striving to create safe and thriving locations at night for everybody and Dublin is rightly satisfied to have received it once again” he said.

“Dublin by Night Fest will act as a brilliant incentive for Dubliners, visitors and families to experience the vast range of music, culture, food and shopping on offer in our capital city.”

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, welcomed the opportunity to celebrate and promote Dublin’s night time economy.

“The Dublin by Night Fest, which is running over two nights, provides people with a great opportunity to go out and engage with Dublin City through cultural events, street animation, music and retail. Following the success of last year’s event, I am delighted to support this festival for a second year, which promises to offer even more events for locals and visitors to enjoy and once again showcases all the positive aspects of what our capital city has to offer. This builds on the positivity generated by the new Dublin City Council Night-Time Economy Strategy, which was published recently.”

Liz Halpin, Head of Dublin at Fáilte Ireland, said research shows that attending events and festivals are key motivators for visitors looking to take a winter break and also enhances overall trip satisfaction.

“We are delighted to support the Dublin by Night Fest as an opening event of the Winter in Dublin programme, which highlights all the authentically Dublin events happening from November through until January” she said.

According to Dublin Town CEO, Richard Guiney, the city is facing its night time challenges head on.

“There is a growing platform being built to deliver a wonderful experience for all in the city, both day and night. Achieving and maintaining our Purple Flag necessitates co-operation from all of the city’s key stakeholders. We believe this mutual effort will deliver the city Dubliners want. Dublin Town is delighted to once again be part of this celebration of the city’s evening and night time economy and looks forward to welcoming tens of thousands to our streets over the course of the weekend.”