Dublin will celebrate the Year of the Rooster with the second annual Dublin Chinese New Year Festival at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, from February 9th-15th.
The festival was launched by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr O'Donoghue, at the Civic Offices, Wood Quay, in Dublin yesterday.
Last year's festival attracted 127,000 visitors over the four days.
This year's event has been expanded to include a weekend Holistic Fair and an Asian Pavilion featuring exhibitions and speakers on aspects of Chinese culture.
The Red Poppy percussion troupe will headline the live music and entertainment section, which will include demonstrations of traditional Chinese folk music, dance and martial arts.
A film festival will also be held.
Education packs are being sent to schools in the Dublin area to encourage children to get involved in the arts and crafts workshops.
There will be a market comprising over 50 stalls selling regional Chinese food and traditional arts and crafts, and a photographic exhibition.
There are an estimated 30,000 Chinese people living in the State.
Ms Susan Glennon, chairperson of the Dublin Chinatown Festival Committee, paid tribute to the National Museum for hosting the event.
Mr Cian Connaughton, of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the concept of the festival saying it was a good way to entice people to visit the capital.
"It's good that the Chinese community have the confidence to celebrate their own culture.
"The hope would be that Chinese New Year would one day be as big as St Patrick's Day."
Mr Yan Ruhua, a student from Fuijan Province living in Dublin, said he was looking forward to the festival.
"It will give the Irish more insight into Chinese culture. A permanent Chinatown in Dublin would be a great idea.
"There is one in almost every major city in the world. It brings tourists in and it's a place for Chinese people to go.
"But I'm really looking forward to the chance of eating some real food from my region," he said.