Leopardstown Racing Fixtures: mid-January sees the start of the year’s horse-racing events at Leopardstown Race Course. The first race of the year is the Pierse Hurdle, and spectators, who are feeling lucky, or foolhardy, can place a bet on the winning horse.

Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup Chase: this event is held in the lead up to the popular Cheltenham Gold Cup. The annual race is held at Leopardstown Race Course and attracts renowned trainers and horses from across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Whether you come to place a bet or just enjoy an exciting day out, the race is suitable for both young and old audiences.

RHA Annual Exhibition: Ireland’s most prestigious art event sees artists compete for esteemed titles and prize money, which is the largest artists’ prize fund in Ireland. Awards include The Hennessy Craig Scholarship, the Portrait Prize, the Curtin O’ Donoghue Photography Prize and the RHA Sculpture Prize among others.

Music in the Park: throughout the summer months, Dublin Corporation presents free concerts in each of the city's major parks on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. These cover a variety of music genres, from jazz and classical to brass and swing bands, the concerts make for an ideal family day out.

Taste of Dublin Festival: held at Dublin Castle, 15 of Dublin’s top restaurants gather together to celebrate food and drink with some of their favourite dishes. Watch top chefs in action and indulge in some wine tasting while enjoying some musical entertainment.

Oxegen Festival: a two-day rock festival formerly know as the Witness Festival, expect to see top Irish and international acts at this long running festival.

Temple Bar Circus Season: the Temple Bar district comes alive with a variety of circus acts by both international and Irish performers. Acts performed at the seven-day outdoor event include juggling, acrobatics, magic shows and stilt-walking. The event culminates in a huge one-day carnival procession through the streets of Temple Bar.

The Liffey Swim: hundreds of entrants compete in this race across the River Liffey, while spectators cheer them on. Many supporters arrive at the event decked out in fancy dress.

Street Performance World Championship: held at Blackrock Park, this is a new addition to Dublin’s annual festivals, featuring street performers of all genres including actors, comedians, musicians and acrobat; ideal for children and families.

The Dublin Fringe Theatre Festival: an event to complement the city’s official Theatre Festival, this smaller scale festivity sees a move away from mainstream productions, offering performances of a more varied nature. Performances are held at venues across the city annually from late September to mid-October.

GAA All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final: held at Croke Park in early September, the GAA finals offer spectators a chance to see this fast-moving, traditional Irish sport in action.

Fingal Walking Festival: ideal for lovers of the outdoors, anyone can participate in this event. The festival offers a range of walks that vary in difficulty, with popular routes passing through Fingal, North County Dublin and the picturesque village of Skerries.

Dublin Theatre Festival: this two-week event showcases the finest Irish theatre. Expect to see performances by both international theatre companies and Irish favourites.

Dublin Toy and Train Fair: primarily an event for collectors, this fair will also appeal to all toy lovers, children and the young at heart. With everything from models, constructions sets and toy trains to teddy bears, jigsaws and dolls, the fair is well worth a visit.

National Craft Fair: this five-day fair showcases the best in traditional Irish crafts, with an endless range of Christmas gift ideas and souvenirs.

Christmas: celebrated with as much fervour as one might imagine, Christmas time in Dublin is spent in celebration, with feasting, drinking, present-giving and generally lots of merry-making. Expect to see the city’s streets and shopping centres elaborately decorated with lights and Christmas trees.