Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of year with family at the centre of it, but for many the festive period is fraught with conflict and pain. Joyce Fegan speaks to people who have no contact with family members and to experts working in the area of family estrangement

Families and communities are marking the day

Families and communities have been marking Christmas Day across the globe despite varying levels of coronavirus-related restrictions

All over the globe families and communities are marking the day

Signs made with love and excited hands were held aloft for family returning home for Christmas at Cork Airport, many coming back for the first time in years

Pope Francis celebrated Christmas Eve mass before an estimated 1,500 people in St Peter’s Basilica on Friday, going ahead with the service despite the resurgence in Covid-19 cases that has prompted a new vaccine mandate for Vatican employees.

Musicians banging drums and playing bagpipes marched through the biblical town of Bethlehem on Friday to the delight of smaller than usual crowds — a mix of conviviality and restraint reflected in celebrations around the world on a Christmas Eve ...

— plus Christmas carols, a snowman competition and a sci-fi with Leonardo Dicaprio and Jennifer Lawrence

The pickles and relishes and soups I stock up on so that I can relax over the next few weeks. 

Men typically outspend women by 8% on Christmas Eve — the only day in December when men will spend more than women, new data reveals.

About 645,000 immigrants call Ireland home. Some came as children, others fled conflict and many were looking for opportunity and adventure. Joyce Fegan talks to six people who tell us how they'll spend Christmas in their new home.

Today, December 23, is expected to be the busiest shopping day of the festive season, with many people still ticking off their Christmas to-do lists

Cork is a Christmas city — after all, the man who invented the modern idea of the holiday came to Leeside in 1858 to share his blueprint for Christmas

The tireless campaigner took to Twitter late on Wednesday night to show her gratitude after she was granted the honorary freedom of Limerick city on Tuesday

Here's when you can shop at Dunnes Stores, Tesco, Lidl, Aldi and SuperValu this week

Antigen tests could be key to keeping your loved ones safe from Covid-19 this Christmas. But are you using them correctly?

"At least you’ll get to hear all your favourite Christmas songs in the busy, busy shops. Over and over and over, at high volume. So festive!"

It's Christmas, so the cosier the better.

Micheál Martin is optimistic despite the WHO's fears that a 'storm' of Omicron will hit Europe

The happy good boys and girls at Dogs Trust in Dublin will make you feel all warm and fuzzy

Cheer turns to fear as Ireland is haunted by the Covid flare-up of last Christmas, and by ever-higher energy prices in the new year

Three of us have lived in this house since the start of the pandemic. All of us are double vaccinated and boosted. We’ve been scrupulously careful, followed all the rules. We wear masks everywhere — but Covid has landed anyway

In Cork, there will be three walk-in clinics open for those eligible, Cork City Hall, Mallow primary healthcare centre and Bantry primary care centre

It’s part of the overwhelming effort to brand EVERYTHING to make it more Christmassy. But you don’t need to make chocolate biscuits ‘festive’ or ‘seasonal’.

'I hope Roy Keane knows the huge impact he has had on so many lives. I'm sure this is just one example'

When can we get on with simply living with Covid, rather than living in fear of whatever threat new variants will throw at us?

We've rounded up 300 gift ideas from Irish brands with a particular focus this year on sustainability

The two straw goats of Gavle, Sweden’s most endangered Christmas decorations, have gone up in flames after surviving nearly a month in a central square.

"Are they tears of festive joy?”

An Post has flagged the all-important dates to ensure post arrives on time for the big day, which is just nine days away

Passing on the Christmas traditions like 'cluck and collect'

After a difficult year, a small school in Co Clare is reminding everyone of the importance of hope this Christmas.

The Dogs Trust charity revealed that it has received 2,155 requests in 2021 from people wanting to rehome their dog, the majority because of behavioural issues.

A foolproof guide to getting beauty gift sets they'll love and actually use this Christmas

Whether you are struggling to fill socks or searching for last-minute gifts, these beauty bits are some of the nicest.

The TD, who died this week, will always be remembered as a legend in a city that has produced an enormous number of political giants

From dry turkeys to potatoes at risk of going cold, here are some of the best ways to avoid stress in the kitchen this Christmas 

Saint Nick paid a flying visit to Cobh via Kennedy Pier on Sunday evening

As a proxy for Boris Johnson, she gets little public sympathy — but Allegra Stratton’s apology was flawless and simple, writes Terry Prone.

Christmas is a gift wrapped minefield

I've resolved to learn new skills over the years, including how to knit a jumper and juggle, but next year I'm going to actually success

“It can be a really hard, lonely, and reflective time for people who are homeless, they are often thinking of the things they've lost and maybe the family that they're estranged from."

Artists in this year's market line-up include Saint Sister, Kneecap, Gemma Dunleavy, Pillow Queens, Sorcha Richardson, The Mary Wallopers, and Wyvern Lingo