Let's be honest here: it can be a bit of a pain in the hoop trying to come up with plans for New Year's Eve. It's the one day of the year where, months in advance, people feel like they can ask you what you're doing and what you have planned - and if you're anything like me, you rarely have any idea until the last minute.

This year, as per usual, there's a handful of excellent live music events scattered across our island to help you ring in the New Year with an earful of tunes and a skip in your step. We've poured through the listings to highlight a selection of NYE events which we feel might be worth shelling out your hard-earned shekels.

  New Year's Eve Mix Tape Party - Vicar Street, Dublin

In what is turning into something of a tradition, Vicar Street will once again play host to a stunning array of talent for this year's New Year's Eve party. Lisa Hannigan, Rhob Cunningham, Jerry Fish, Gavin Glass, Wallis Bird, Cormac Curran and Booka Brass Band are the confirmed names so far but you can expect a few more surprise guests to show up on stage as 2013 reaches its climax.

 

Christ Church Cathedral New Year's Eve Gala Concert - Christ Church, Dublin

 

Run in association with Young Hearts Run Free, this year's NYE event at Christ Church Cathedral will directly benefit the Simon Community and will feature an evening of contemporary Irish music. The full line-up will be revealed soon. Tickets, priced at €45, include a champagne reception on arrival.

 

NYE Dublin Countdown Concert, Dublin City

Madness, Ryan Sheridan, MKS (the former Sugababes!), The Strypes and Seo Linn make up the bill for Dublin's massive outdoor New Year's Extravaganza. Just make sure you wrap up warm and hope that the heavens don't open!
 

NYE 2013, feat. Shit Robot - The Sugar Club, Dublin

Ireland's DFA Records representative Shit Robot heads the line-up in the Sugar Club this New Year's Eve, with appearances also scheduled from his pals Billy Scurry and Johnny Moy.

 

The Hot Sprockets - The Workman's Club, Dublin

If the Mississippi Delta intersected Dublin, it's fair to suggest that the Hot Sprockets would reside there. Five guys who share a passion for big-collared shirts, flares and rock n' roll, the Hot Sprockets have developed into one of Dublin's finest live acts and you can be sure that they're bring their considerable A-Game to ring in the new year in the Workman's Club.

For lots more New Year's Eve Dublin activities, check out our dedicated New Year’s Eve Dublin 2014 microsite!