Winter wonderland: Here are Ireland's best Christmas experiences for the whole family

From Waterford's all-encompassing Winterval; to panto season all over Ireland; to skating in Páirc Uí Chaoimh — it's a most wonderful time of the year

Waterford Winterval Festival. Pictured is Jamie Drohan, Winterval Express Train Driver. Photograph: Patrick Browne

Experience Europe’s city of Christmas

It began as a local initiative to boost festive tourism. A little over a decade later, and Waterford has been proclaimed Europe’s City of Christmas.