Visiting Dublin for Christmas

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Not actually making the decision about a trip. Sorry you are going through this much stress.

I will say that living in a city that has been known to have violent demonstrations from time to time (Seattle), I know that these are generally localized and most people are able to simply avoid those areas. I think that keeping an eye on the local news, checking with your hotel desk, and finally being alert when out and about should take care of any safety concerns that you have.

I wish you the very best whatever you decide.

There doesn't seem to be anything political about the one night of rioting, which affected a relatively small part of the centre of Dublin. It seems to have been hooligans taking advantage of a totally unrelated school stabbing.
Yes a tram, several buses and a number of police vehicles were burnt out, and a FD tender attacked, but the Garda now have extra officers on the streets and have had water cannon sent down from the PSNI of Belfast.
And the streets were much calmer last night. All public transport ran, unlike Thursday night when it had to be withdrawn.
Latest news seems to be that two streets remain closed due to damage.
I actually thought of raising a post about the rioting but then decided that was attaching too much importance to the matter.

I personally see no need for concern in a few weeks time.

The Irish government is blaming the rioting on a group of far right "hooligans" who took advantange of a stabbing earlier in the day.

Dublin is usually a fairly safe city. The area affected by the rioting a couple of nights ago was O'Connell Street and the area immediately north. This is similar to the area that saw a couple of tourist stabbings a few months ago.

I've been to Dublin a few times. If it was me, I'd go, but I'd stay away from the area I described above at night. During the day you should be fine. I'd be more worried about the Christmas shopping crowds as O'Connell St is a big shopping street.

YMMV

Not sure how answers could be political. People here are mostly shell-shocked and determined to not let the thuggish actions we saw the other evening ruin city life for everyone else. Come and enjoy.