The saying ‘a dog’s for life, not just for Christmas’ may be well worn, but it is still failing to resonate with people, meaning there are hundreds of dogs and cats out there looking to be rehomed. Pet lover Susan O’Shea spoke to a number of rescue shelters to find out exactly what’s involved in rehoming and that would-be pet owners need to keep in mind

Leinster star Hannah O’Connor had described the province’s historic clash against Harlequins at Twickenham Stadium tomorrow (7pm) as being like ‘a double Christmas’.

Children of a certain age always end up asking one day ‘what is the Watford Gap, daddy?’ Yesterday, you might have suggested it was the chasm in the earth De Gea wished would open up after yet another of his blunders.

YOU know the way the EU is planning to stop the clocks going back and forward for daylight savings time in 2021? They need to take a look at moving Christmas as well. December 25 is way too late, at least in Ireland. They need to move it back to December 12, if my kids are anything to go by.

Chris Wasser takes a closer look at the enduring legacy and phenomenal impact on literature and film of Charles Dickens’ life-affirming classic, ‘A Christmas Carol’

Heartbreaking CCTV footage of a confused terrier being abandoned, casually tied to a tree outside Dogs Trust, is set to form a central part of their Christmas TV campaign to keep canines for life.

Back-to-back All-Ireland Ladies Football winner Noelle Healy has hit out at Taoiseach Leo Varadkar for his controversial comments about medical staff.

Why does Santa live at the North Pole? How does he fit all those presents onto his sleigh? And how on earth does he get the reindeer to fly? These and many other Christmas mysteries are solved today by the Junior Infants of Gaelscoil Charraig Uí Leighin in Carrigaline, Co Cork. Áilín Quinlan reports

There are times when living as an exile in Cork I miss my home county of Dublin, hearing the Dublin accent every day, enjoying Dublin wit, strolling down Grafton street or jumping on a Dart or the Luas.

A national treasure, the Donegal crooner has won the hearts of a new generation of millennials thanks to a mix of reality TV shows and quirky boiler ads, writes Caomhan Keane.

With so many demands on their time, how do Christmas dads keep going during the festive season? Esther McCarthy talks to four celebrities about juggling it all. 

Political correctness was developed as a shield against ignorance and boorishness.

Irene Feighan sits down to have a chat with Connacht rugby player, Bundee Aki, about his health and nutrition.

Following on from the success of the October event ’Mass’ which over 100,000 people signed up to attend, another celebration in the name of religion has been set up on Facebook.

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime

The message on the beer mat tells us to drink responsibly — that is, if you can see the message. The print is so small.

Now that the Christmas season is approaching, many people will find a lot of the mundane things of life affected by the upcoming celebration.

THANKS to a verse in a nonsense carol, the turtle dove is a celebrity at this time of year.

From using a turnip as a candleholder to eating the turkey a day early to a cowgirl costume mistakenly bought for a boy, three celebrities recount their festive memories to Richard Fitzpatrick

Mammy and Christmas — they go together like a stressed-out horse and a stress-inducing carriage.

Nailed it.

Christmas really is arriving earlier each year, experts have confirmed.

As foot-in-mouth merchant Silvio Berlusconi finishes his first week of community service, Dave Kenny picks some examples of other people who’ve been in hot water with the political correctness brigade.

A courageous Kilkenny woman has spoken out about losing her husband and son to suicide.

AND so this is Christmas, and what have you done? “NOT A THING” says you, “I thought I had more time”.

Willie Mullins has unveiled a powerful team for the marquee races at this year’s Leopardstown Christmas Festival.

¦ Coachford flower and garden club are hosting a Christmas demonstration: ‘Have yourself a very Merry Christmas’, with Margaret Ahern, in the Village Inn Coachford, on Dec 4, at 8pm.

Long-range weather guru Ken Ring is predicting a frosty Christmas for Ireland this year, with the south of the country most likely to get a festive snowfall.

¦ Kanturk Flower and Garden Club will meet on Wednesday, Nov 13, with guest speaker Madeline McKeever, of Brown Envelope Seeds. All welcome, €5.00.

Ruden Homes is building its way out of a recession, reports Tommy Barker with an increase in new house sales at Lehenaghmore

At Christmas time, Rathkeale becomes the centre of attention as members of the Travelling community come to the town for the Christmas season and this can be portrayed in a negative way by the local and national media.

SO you’re probably back to work today and doubtless a colleague or two will pose the perennial Irish question: so how did you get over the Christmas?

“IT’S absolutely fucking jammed down there.”

It’s the final week of our challenge — ‘drop a dress size for Christmas’.

Pub crawls, bonhomie and midnight Mass do not transfer to sunny LA, says Robbie Williams’ party friend, Corkman Mark Hayes

The creator of Christmas favourite, The Snowman, said he is frustrated at how his story was hijacked by sentimentalists — saying it was meant to be about death.

MID-December and Christmas mania is in full swing.

Children all over the country will be making their lists, and checking them twice as they tune into The Late Late Toy Show.

Organic gardener Kitty Scully is wild about edible boundaries.

A couple who gave their first child up for adoption almost three decades ago are dreaming of the perfect Christmas family reunion.

Swathed in ivy and decorations, and with a warm fire, Bride Park Cottage is open to visitors every year, says Charlie Wilkins.

A deal will be done for Ireland on bank debt and a decision will be made on this before Christmas, says a Luxembourg-based source close to the Eurogroup of finance ministers.