One
As if the drama of a new year wasn't enough, Dun Laoghaire is celebrating a birthday too. When the clock strikes 12 tonight, the south Dublin town is 1,500 years old and it means to start its anniversary year with more than just some old peal of bells. At 5 p.m, a state-of-the-art laser light-show will start to throw shapes from the harbour area - it might be a good idea to position yourself halfway down the pier with a rug, a hip-flask and some turkey sandwiches to see the best of the show.
However, as it will continue until midnight, you could leave your post at 7.30 p.m. and wander up to the county hall on Marine Road where the blacktie ball hosted by the Cathaoirleach, Donal Marron, will be about to start. Also on hand will be Breasal O Caollai, chair of the Dun Laoghaire 1500 committee and, even if you're doing a Cinderella and staying outside, there'll be plenty to see as many of the party-goers will be arriving in period costume and vintage cars.
There are alternatives to all this healthy outdoor celebrating - you can also choose to spend the evening at one of the many parties in Dun Laoghaire's pubs and cafes, or just stay home with the turkey sandwiches and watch it all on RTE 1. Either way, make sure you look up on the stroke of midnight when the massive firework display
Two
For some, New Year's Eve is swallowed up by an even bigger celebration - the Frankie Kennedy Winter School in Bunbeg, Co Donegal. Now in its fourth year, this fiesta of traditional music was founded in memory of Altan's flute player, Frankie Kennedy, and runs until January 2nd. It's where musicians such as Clannad, Enya and Altan go to hang out, meet old friends and jam a little on the side, and where fans go to watch them do so.
After a day spent polishing your skills at flute, accordion or bouzouki classes, there is a gig tonight by the femme fatales of trad, the Bumblebees, to kick start the celebrations (£5, 5 p.m.). The real fun begins in the evening when the Australian/Kerry duo, Cooney and Begley start their now infamous ceili at Ostan Gaothdobhair (£14, 9 p.m.), which will continue until everybody drops with exhaustion.
Three
Why not have a ball on New Year's Eve? In Dublin, there's a number to choose from if you fancy putting on stilettos, a dicky bow or both. The Burlington is pulling all the stops out and having two. The first is in the Sussex room and offers a mulled wine reception, a four-course dinner and a champagne toast - dress is semi-formal. The second ball is in aid of the Cheshire Foundation and offers much the same, except the meal is five-course, there is live music by Hard To Touch and all proceeds go to charity.
The Alexander Hotel at Merrion Square, one of Dublin's newer hotels, has Red Hurley and his band as the main attraction at its gala ball. After a champagne reception, guests will be soothed through their five-course dinner by a string quartet while big Red will see you safely through the countdown.
At its sister hotel, the Mont Clare, there is a slightly funkier do - a 1970s theme night with a buffet, DJ and an abundance of flares.
Four
If you partied too hard over Christmas, it might be time for a detox. If the very word inspires dreadful visions of wheatbran and carrot juice, don't worry - help is on hand in the shape of Powerscourt Springs health farm in Co Wicklow. Imagine yourself draped in seaweed and wrapped in tinfoil with rugs tucked around to keep you completely snug.
Once that's all over, you can start the toxifying all over again at the New Year's party. First, let the beauty therapists thoroughly pamper you with a make-over and manicure and then float downstairs for a candlelit dinner with live music and a champagne toast at midnight. Paradise on earth is a mere £250 for a two-day package, including treatments.
Five
Watching something live and kicking can be a great way to start a new 12 months. This year Dublin's Point Theatre is offering two tribute bands for its New Year extravaganza - the Bootleg Beatles and Abbaesque. Doors open at 9 p.m, you can buy either seated or standing tickets (£16 or £15) and there's a full bar. legendary local band Sexual Chocolate will be playing in the Bodega Bar on Cornmarket Street from 9 p.m. Fans of the the soul and funk band headed by hairy diva John Brosnan can then follow them to the Half Moon Club in the Opera House where they'll take you through into the new year.
While the New Year bash at the POD on Harcourt Street is not strictly live music, it certainly promises to be lively. Entitled Heaven And Hell, it features performances by Macnas, circus acts, trapeze artists and fire tricks and a riot of visual projections by the Light Surgeons (from 9 p.m, £18).
Six
Bored with life here altogether? If you're reading this at dawn and if you got your skids on you could possibly just about get to Edinburgh for the biggest New Year festival in the world - Hogmanay.
Last year more than 300,000 people "brought in the bells" on the streets of Edinburgh. This year you'll need a free street-pass to join the party. In Glasgow, too, there are events all day. Other events across the water tonight include the Allendale festival in the English village of the same name, in which villagers parade in costume through the town with burning tarbarrels on their heads (starting time 11.30 p.m.) while in Wales there's the Nos Galan races commemorating a local hero, Guto, who raced an Englishman over a 12-mile course but fell dead at the winning post: the adult race starts at 7 p.m. at Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taff. There's a lot to be said for escaping from these shores altogether - and though at this stage you're unlikely to be able to organise it all and make the break today, you could at least make the resolution to holiday. Just book lots of sunshine or lots of snow and have lots to pay on your credit card later in the year. Executive Travel in Donnybrook will book your dream holiday to the luxurious Colony Club on Barbados - two weeks of half board in a room with an ocean view will set you back £3,100 for each person. Alternatively, you could join a long list of celebs and go skiing in Val d'Isere in France, a snip at only £1,900 for a week at the four-star hotel, The Christiana, and a luxury ski package.
Seven
Chortle your way into 1998 at the newly opened Murphy's Laughter Lounge on Dublin's Eden Quay (in the old Screen Cinema building). Entertainment for the night is provided by Ed Byrne, the man whose comedy career began after an appearance on Blind Date; Dermot Carmody, founder of the Comedy Cellar, and Joe Rooney who runs the Mad Cow night at the Cellar. Tickets and information on 1800 266339.
Eight
Sometimes you just can't beat tradition and the midnight bells at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin remain a firm favourite. After meeting some friends for a celebratory drink - perhaps in the Brazen Head pub - amble up to the cathedral grounds and wait for the chimes to ring out. You never know who you'd meet.
Nine
Xena Productions is one group which will have no trouble deciding what to do tonight. Its staff will be run off their feet working. Masterminded by Tara Fay, who spent many years in Los Angeles catering for the rich and famous, Xena quite literally does every concievable task that needs doing if you're having a party, from locking away the valuables to decorating the bathroom.
Fay has turned normal homes into winter wonderlands complete with stalactites, ice sculptures and floating fish, and a small apartment into a recreation of Alice in Wonderland complete with food marked "Eat Me". No event is too big or too small - Tara will even do a fully catered party for two. She is surprised that more people don't decide to have weddings on New Year's Eve - "After all, everyone's home from abroad and looking for something to do - what could be more romantic than to celebrate your wedding at the turn of the year?"
Xena Productions can be contacted at 01-6675858. Alas, it is all booked out for tonight.
Ten
In Achill, there's no question about what to do on New Year's Eve. Come hell or high water, the village pipe bands will march from Keel and Dooagh and meet up at the crossroads in front of Pollagh church. As they march they will pause at the houses of those who have died during the year and gather people from pubs and parties along the way.
At the crossroads which overlooks Clew Bay they'll be joined by other pipe bands - there are five in total in Achill - and there'll be a fine old fleadh that will continue long after midnight. Sometimes, the best things in life really are free.
