A recent survey showed that Irish people possess an admirable tolerance for poorly executed Christmas dinners and irritating members of their extended families – it found that the vast majority prefer to be at home than in any other part of the world come festive season.
There are, however, a range of Christmas festivals, markets and events being rolled out countrywide to help you get the most out of this year’s non-denominational gift day. So wrap up warm and stroll along cinnamon scented streets, soak up the atmosphere, listen to festive music, enjoy delicious artisan food and search desperately for something to fire at your other half come Christmas morning.
Galway
This year Galway is going international by inviting traders from all over Ireland and overseas to participate in the inaugural Galway Continental Christmas Market. Eyre Square will be transformed from 19 November to 19 December when a mini-town land made up of seventy wooden chalets will be filled with food, drinks and goods from around the world. Expect produce from Russia, Peru, USA and China, as well as lots of local and European offers. The market will also house a ‘Santa’s Grotto’ with proceeds going to the ISPCC and Enable Ireland.
Dublin
The inaugural Taste of Christmas (26-28 November), will be the first event in the city’s new Convention Centre Dublin (that building on the docks that looks like a tipped over bean tin) open to the general public. Those who pop along can check out seasonal food and drink, gourmet gifts, master classes, specialist wines and food sampling. Gourmet guests include Michelin star supremo Heston Blumenthal, Kevin Dundon, Gino D’Acampo Conrad Gallagher and Catherine Fulvio.
The Twelve Days of Christmas in Dublin’s Docklands, meanwhile, will run from 3-22 December. The event will feature a range of market stalls offering food, drink and stocking fillers as well as traditional fairground attractions and carol singers.
The Point Village Christmas Markets, which take place from 3-23 December, also offer food, gifts and carol singers but have the added bonus of a string of live gigs. It will also give you an excuse to get a 360 degree view of Dublin via the Wheel of Dublin.
Cork
As part of Cork City’s Christmas celebrations, the Grand Parade will be turned into a Christmas Market every weekend from 26 November to 17 December and then again on Christmas week, (20-22 December). Expect street stalls featuring locally produced artisan crafts and foods, and local choirs and bands performing Christmas favourites.
The sailing town of Kinsale will have its own range of Christmas events throughout December. We’re talking markets, guided winter walks, a Santa’s Grotto, a Christmas Show, and several competitions from the Christmas Rose to the Battle of the Bands.
Kerry
The German Christmas Market runs from 10-12 December in Tralee and will feature a selection of traditional German foods and crafts from Tralee’s partner town in Frankfurt-Höchst, as well as Christmas themed Irish produce from a wide range of Irish traders. Get stuck into traditional German glühwein (mulled wine), non-alcoholic glögg wine, Bratwurst (sausage), and Landbrot (farm bread).
Limerick
The Limerick Christmas Market will involve up to 60 stalls and shops selling food, drink and gifts. The event takes place from 25 November to 24 December and the weather-proofed stalls will be centred around Milk Market at Cornmarket Row.
Another must-do market in Limerick is the Georgian Christmas Market in Pery Square from 19-21 November, which will feature food, arts and crafts, and some of the more quirky Christmas gifts.
Honourable mention
A string of other Christmas markets will be in operation around the country. Here are a few others which might well be worth a look:
Waterford will be running its well-established Traditional Food & Craft Market, which takes place in John Roberts Square and Broad Street from 15 December to Christmas Eve.
Other events include:
Ballyvaughan, Clare (December 11 – 12 and 18 – 19)
Carlingford, Louth (December 5)
Doonbeg, Clare (December  11 – 12)
Carlow Town (December 11 – 12)
Dunfanaghy, Donegal (December 4 and 18)
Killarney, Kerry (December 10 – 11 and December 17 – 18)
Westport, Mayo (December 10 – 12)
For information on these and other Christmas Markets and festivals, visit www.DiscoverIreland.ie/christmas
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