WHAT did you do last New Year's Eve? Was it the night to end all nights? Did you attend a black tie ball? Had you booked a cottage in West Cork, with caterers and a DJ for some of your close friends? Or did you, like me, weigh up the various options, including a dinner party, a club night or meeting some friends in a bar, before throwing a wobbly under all the pressure and deciding to opt for Jools Holland's Hootenanny, the couch and a selection box instead?

Lots of people profess to hate New Year's Eve and there is something really annoying about being told that one must go out and have a good time, not to mention the ridiculous expense you invariably incur if you leave your NYE plans to the last minute, putting you at the mercy of a local hostelry and its exorbitant cover charge. But looking on the bright side, there's still time to plan and book a cracker of a 31 December/1 January.

Failing that, there will always be Jools, your sofa and, just to make it that little bit more special, a selection of Green and Black chocolate bars.

BEST FOR: THOSE WHO ARE MORE MINCE PIE THAN HUMAN Start as you mean to go on (ie pure and unsullied by brandy butter and egg nog) at the Temple Spa, just outside Moate, Co Westmeath. You can have a two- or three-day break here, arriving down on 29 December and staying until 2 January. The festivities start with a cocktail party, followed by a five-course gala banquet with music. The three-day break will certainly put you in a Zen state of mind for the coming year. It includes gourmet food (breakfast, lunch and dinner each day) and two hour-long treatments of your choice, ranging from full-body massages to Yon-Ka facials. Alternatively, get a head start on everyone else with your resolutions and book in a session with a life coach.

Three nights at 710 per persons sharing, 765 per single room. Telephone 00 353 57 933 5118 or log on to www. templespa. ie

BEST FOR: CINDERELLAS WHO WANT TO GO TO THE BALL Don your finest apparel and get ready to swing from the chandeliers at the Glimmerball in Charleville Castle, Tullamore.

It's a masquerade ball and the dress code is . . . and we quote from the organisers . . . "Fancy, Dress or Fancy Dress". Pulling out all the sartorial stops is encouraged but not enforced.

DJs Mo Kelly and Dave Redsetta will be cranking out the tunes, while burlesque outfit The Tassel Club also form part of the bill.

A champagne reception greets guests on arrival, followed by a gourmet buffet, all in one of the country's prettiest castles, situated in an expanse of oak woods.

Tickets cost 125 (including luxury coach) or 110 (entrance only). Visit www. glimmerball. com or telephone 0818 220050.

WBEST FOR: THOSE WHO WANT TO GET DEEP DOWN AND DIRTY Head's up for Hed Kandi. It promises to be a good one at this party in Tripod, the latest addition to the Pod's stable of venues at Harcourt Street. Andy Warburton and Carl Hanaghan are the DJs with the not inconsiderable task of delighting Dublin clubbers.

BEST FOR: BRUSHING AWAY THE COBWEBS For those who suspect that their seasonal excesses won't be redressed by a stroll to the shop for the papers, try a walking tour in Glenbeigh, Co Kerry. Taking place from 29 December to 1 January, you can opt for either difficult or moderate walks, which take in Carrauntuohill, spectacular views over Dingle Bay, the Gap of Dunloe and a visit to O'Sullivan's Cascade. The price, 199, is per person sharing for the three-night package in Kerry Ocean Lodge or any of the guesthouses in the village, and includes three full Irish breakfasts, two packed lunches, experienced guides and transfers to and from the walks. Log on to www. govisitireland. com or call 066 976 2094.

BEST FOR: CITY CENTRE CHAMPAGNE CHIC It's difficult to pinpoint what exactly it is about the Clarence Hotel that makes it such a special experience. It might be the welltrained and always pleasant staff. It might be the pleasing proportions of the Octagon Bar and its killer cocktails. It could also come down to its talented executive chef, Fred Cordonnier, and the cachet U2 ownership gives it.

Whatever. the Clarence is one of the country's most glamorous yet comfortable hotels and their New Year's package is extremely tempting. It includes three night's accommodation, full Irish breakfast daily, dinner in the Tea Rooms with live music, then back to the Octagon bar for more revelry. The next day, guests can go for the breakfast or a late lunch. The three night's package, based on the superior room option, is 1270 with double occupancy.

6-8 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2. Log on to www. theclarence. ie or telephone 01 407 0800

BEST FOR: SEEING THE FINAL SUNDOWN OF THE YEAR Let me take you to the islandf With a latitude of 10 degrees west, Achill Island has one of the last sunsets in Europe. Head up to the observation point on Minaun and watch the light fade over Keel and Achill Head and out over the Atlantic towards America. Accommodation-wise, there are plenty of restaurants and hotels in which you can stay and the pubs are renowned for the liveliness of their sessions.

Traditionally, the pipe bands in the villages welcome in the New Year and another tradition (albeit, one for the hardiest of souls only) is a New Year morning dip in the Atlantic, when waters are at their very coldest.

Visit www. achilltourism. com for more information.

BEST FOR: ROUSING ORCHESTRAL TREATS If classical favourites and Viennese music is your thing, get yourself along to the National Concert Hall where Proinnsias O'Duinn will be conducting the RTE Concert Orchestra, with soprano Cara O'Sullivan performing. This is a sell-out gig, each and every year, and it's a wonderfully atmospheric environment in which to ring in the New Year.

You can't buy the tickets online. They are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to four per person. Prices start from 35 and include a glass of champagne; the concert starts at 9.45pm. Call 01 417 0000 to book or log on to www. nch. ie

BEST FOR: THE COUNTRY HOUSE VIBE The former home of Oliver St John Gogarty, visited by Winston Churchill, WB Yeats and Lady Gregory, Renvyle House in Connemara oozes gracious country charm. Here it's all about the sing-songs, the lie-ins, the candlelit dinners and the treasure hunts. The owners do warn that New Year's Eve parties here have been known to go on for several days. The food, under the helm of head chef Tim O'Sullivan, is exceptional and Count John McCormack's concert Steinway in the restaurant sets the scene.

Three nights B & B and three gourmet dinners from 535 (usually commencing 30 December). Log on to www. renvyle. com or telephone (0)95 43511.

BEST FOR: CLUEDO LOVERS Get your best Miss Scarlett/Colonel Mustard costumes on at the Foxford Lodge, Co Mayo with Ireland's most established murder mystery weekend company. Here's an opportunity to get dressed up in a nice outfit, heels and a wig . . . that's only the men . . . and you might even get yourself knocked off.

There's a minimum booking of 12 people and the New Year Eve's package includes one night's B & B, a five-course gala dinner, the murder mystery game itself and a disco until the early hours. Price 149 per person sharing. Log on to www. murdermysteryireland. com or call 094 925 7777

BEST FOR: THE DELUXE HOTEL EXPERIENCE There's a greater concentration of fabulous, five-star hotel/spa destinations in Killarney than anywhere else in the country and the Brehon flies the flag more than adequately for this picturesque town. Check into it and you'll find an indulgent hamper waiting in your room. Don't spoil the appetite because dinner in their award-winning restaurant is next up. The following day, you can explore Killarney or chill out in the Vitality Suite of the Angsana Spa before attending a cocktail party and banquet with dancing. The next day calls for recovery time in Killarney National Park and a predinner drink, with a slap-up full Irish the next morning. 1198 for two persons sharing for three nights. Check out www. thebrehon. com or telephone 064 30700

BEST FOR: A PROPER DINNER DANCE Alas there are no Joe Dolan shows scheduled for this New Year's but, in his absence, why not make a trip to the legendary Red Cow Inn instead? This M50 landmark is more like a state of mind than an actual place . . . you can expect food-stomping and hand-clapping aplenty, with the crowd really getting into it.

Joanna and Tequila Sunrise are the main act, with Steve Martyn and the Top Notch dance troop and illusionist David Knight bringing up the rear.

Tickets, which cost 75 per person, include the cabaret, a four-course meal and late night dancing. Log on to www. redcowhotel. com or call 01 459 3650.