A free millennium concert is to take place outside Government Buildings from 2.30 p.m. on New Year's Eve until 1 a.m. on New Year's Day. Among those taking part will be Brian Kennedy, The Divine Comedy, David Gray, Rebecca Storm, Sharon Shannon, Donal Lunny, Picture House, the Kilfenora Ceili Band, three Irish tenors and a children's choir.
Other artists have yet to be confirmed by MCD concert promoters, who have been appointed organisers of the event by the National Millennium Committee, but it is hoped that more well-known figures will be taking part in what is expected to be the biggest free open-air music event ever held in Dublin.
Incorporated into the proceedings will be the Last Light Ceremony, when candles will be lit throughout the State at sunset, 4:15 p.m. At 6 p.m. the 13 Liffey bridges, between Heuston Station and the sea, will be illuminated in a "Mexican wave" ceremony of light and fireworks.
From 7.30 p.m. tickets will be required for the concert for security reasons, while later Macnas and Afro-Celt Sound Systems, together with the Millennium Drum, will count down to midnight. A fireworks display will end in a spectacular show at midnight, while the bells of Christ Church will ring out for several minutes as will church bells throughout the State.
RTE will televise the celebrations as part of a 24-hour broadcast which will include coverage from 60 TV networks around the world. Dublin Bus will operate special services on the day, while 20,000 free tickets for the evening concert will be available at outlets from December 15th.
The chairman of the Millennium Committee, Mr Seamus Brennan, said he was "particularly pleased at how all the elements of the New Year's Eve celebrations are coming together".
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