Looking forward to hear the tiger roar? The Chinese zodiac sign that is? Sara Naumann, About.com Guide to China Travel, has put together a list of events above and beyond my mention of Chinese New Year in Dublin ... a list of Chinese New Year Celebrations around the world. Find out about the festive offers in Canada, Hong Kong, London and the UK, Los Angeles, Montreal, New York City, Paris, Scandinavia and Sydney.

Hang on - no Beijing? Don't worry, Sara also has a whole bunch of information on how Chinese New Year is celebrated in the country of origin as well.

The coming weekend is dedicated to Chinese New Year in Dublin. The week-long festival kicks off on Friday. I'll definitely be heading for the carnival atmosphere in Dublin's Wolfe Tone Square (Jervis Street) on Sunday, New Year's Eve. Hoping the weather will hold, after last year's slightly wet proceedings.

Russborough House seems to have suffered severe structural damage to the West Wing, currently under renovation, but the rest of the building and the Beit art collection seem not to have been affected. In an update on yesterday's worrying news of a major fire at the splendid estate it was announced that no paintings were affected by the fire. Russborough House is also expected to keep its summer opening schedule.

Russborough House, a popular attraction at the foot of the Wicklow Mountains and home to the renowned art collection of Alfred Beit Foundation, was damaged by fire last night. Regarded as the "most beautiful house in Ireland", it has already suffered form criminal activity and is listed as an endangered heritage site. According to first reports the major damage seems to have been suffered by the West Wing, currently undergoing refurbishment. Visitors should check with the Russborough House website for updates on possible revision of opening times.