#Christmas

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

Clodagh Finn
Clodagh Finn: Let’s repeat the ‘storytelling census’ of the 1930s
Christmas table place setting. Tableware with evergreen twigs, cone and spice
S Terry Prone: I am desperately envious, but I am also smart, so I play the odds on where I might compete
My sister is a pain the arse at the most mundane of times, but she comes into her own over Christmas

Mon, 29 Dec, 2025

Man Writing in Notebook
Gareth O'Callaghan: A Christmas letter to my 10-year-old self about curiosity, kindness and growing up
A reflective Christmas message across generations, exploring childhood wonder, hard-earned wisdom and the lessons that endure with time

Sat, 27 Dec, 2025

'Nobody wants to leave their family — but emergencies don’t stop because it’s Christmas'
'Nobody wants to leave their family — but emergencies don’t stop because it’s Christmas'
From paramedics to Christmas FM DJs and helpline staff there will be plenty people busy at work when so many of us are relaxing and having fun — we meet three people who'll be on duty on the big day

Fri, 26 Dec, 2025

Visiting his Elderly Relative
John Lonergan: How older people can keep their spirits up this winter
Age Friendly ambassador John Lonergan offers practical tips for older people — and their friends and neighbours too — to mind their wellbeing through the long dark months

Fri, 26 Dec, 2025

Many Irish people left with unwanted presents because gift receipts are not included, consumer watchdog says
Many Irish people left with unwanted presents because gift receipts are not included, consumer watchdog says
Competition and Consumer Protection Commission survey shows more than two in five of consumers never include a gift receipt when giving presents at Christmas

Fri, 26 Dec, 2025

Irish Examiner view: Christmas is our time to be together
Irish Examiner view: Christmas is our time to be together
From religious observances to Christmas Day swims — at this time of the year, the emphasis is on community spirit. Long may it last

Fri, 26 Dec, 2025

Church at night with lights in the windows under the moonlight
Silent Night: A Christmas ghost story, by Billy O'Callaghan
A beautifully unsettling Christmas ghost story where faith, memory and silence blur in the frost-bitten dark of Cork

Thu, 25 Dec, 2025

‘Holding the little white coffin in your hands is an experience so unimaginable’
‘Holding the little white coffin in your hands is an experience so unimaginable’
A Limerick mother who buried her two daughters has penned a book that offers solace to grieving children and families, and helps them navigate their loss, writes Manon Gilbart

Thu, 25 Dec, 2025

Christmas Day swims: Ireland's bravest souls take to the sea on a bright but bitterly cold day
Christmas Day swims: Ireland's bravest souls take to the sea on a bright but bitterly cold day
From the Forty Foot to Salthill — and at beaches all along Cork and Kerry's 2,000km coastline — the hardy annuals took the plunge today

Thu, 25 Dec, 2025

Vatican Pope Christmas
Pope Leo XIV remembers Gaza’s suffering in first Christmas homily
Leo led the Christmas Day mass from the central altar beneath the balustrade of St Peter’s Basilica, adorned with floral garlands and clusters of red poinsettia

Thu, 25 Dec, 2025

In Pictures: Thousands take to sea for Christmas Day swims 
In Pictures: Thousands take to sea for Christmas Day swims 
Thousands of plucky swimmers started their this morning. In Cork, where sea temperatures were around 10C to 11C, hundreds of swimmers flocked to Myrtleville beach for the annual Christmas swim.

Thu, 25 Dec, 2025

Full frame frosty grass and autumnal leaf
Dry, frosty, and sunny conditions forecast for Christmas period
St Stephen's Day will be dry and cold, with daytime temperatures expected to range from 4C to 8C.

Thu, 25 Dec, 2025

6 shows our TV reviewer recommends binge-watching over Christmas
6 shows our TV reviewer recommends binge-watching over Christmas
With plenty of family-friendly options

Thu, 25 Dec, 2025

Meet the catering staff who will be working long hours to bring Christmas dinner to those in hospital
Meet the catering staff who will be working long hours to bring Christmas dinner to those in hospital
Hospital canteen staff across the country will be working long hours to make sure patients get to enjoy a Christmas dinner. We talk to employees who will be serving memories on a plate this year

Thu, 25 Dec, 2025

Féile O'Sullivan's recovery has been like 'zero to 100' since farming accident
Féile O'Sullivan's recovery has been like 'zero to 100' since farming accident
It has been a huge change for the girl who loved to roam on horse-back and played football with Garnish GAA and Beara Ladies, as well as gymnastics and other sports, her mother Maureen says

Thu, 25 Dec, 2025

Caucasian toddler girl in the Church holding boot with chocolate and mistletoe
Sarah Harte: Christmas Eve Mass is uniquely beautiful — rampaging kids or not
A low point of my Christmas Eve Mass experience came when one small person liberated Jesus from the crib and whooped up and down the aisle

Wed, 24 Dec, 2025

Santa Claus riding on sleigh with gift box
Track Santa as he makes his way to Ireland to deliver presents 
He's nearly here, and he has already started leaving presents for children in other parts of the world

Wed, 24 Dec, 2025

Decoration with hydrogel water balls - orbeez.
How to avoid a toy-related trip to hospital A&E this Christmas
Their grandparents played with a toy that was basically a weapon (remember clackers?) but children today can easily fall foul of innocent-looking toys like water beads or magnets

Wed, 24 Dec, 2025

MANDY KELLY
Mum makes new appeal for help as she prepares to spend a third Christmas without her sons 
Mandy Kelly said that, in another similar case, France interceded at a higher level with a diplomatic note, and that Ireland should do likewise

Wed, 24 Dec, 2025

'I’m definitely on the nice list': Cork kids tell us what they want for Christmas 
'I’m definitely on the nice list': Cork kids tell us what they want for Christmas 
What happens when Santa and the tooth fairy cross paths on Christmas eve? The Junior Infants from Scoil Bhríde Eglantine National School in Ballinlough tell Sarah Horgan

Wed, 24 Dec, 2025

'No school forever': The kids from Rainbow Club Cork on what they want for Christmas
'No school forever': The kids from Rainbow Club Cork on what they want for Christmas
'A nicer world for our children to live in' was another request to Santa Claus and Daidí na Nollag from children with disabilities or their parents in letters from across Munster and Dublin shared with the Irish Examiner

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

AIRPORT HOMECOMINGS
'It is brilliant. We have everyone home once a year': Joy as families reunite at Dublin Airport
There were tears of joy shed in Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport as the last of the Christmas arrivals came home for the festive season on Tuesday

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

Foot of newborn baby
CSO reveals the most popular names for babies born in the lead-up to Christmas last year
The CSO said there were seven more babies born on Christmas Day 2024 than on the same day in 2023

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

'It's amazing for the kids': Meet Bella the therapy dog at UHL
'It's amazing for the kids': Meet Bella the therapy dog at UHL
The miniature schnauzer regularly does her rounds of the children's wards, offering the young patients chocolate treats in exchange for a few pets

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

Dry and bright: Here's what the weather will be like over the Christmas period
Dry and bright: Here's what the weather will be like over the Christmas period
There'll be no white Christmas, but Met Éireann offers glad tidings as the weather is set to be dry and bright over the next few days 

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

Garda police car at Pearse Street Garda Station in Dublin, Ireland
Senior gardaí 'very worried' at surge in arrests of people driving under the influence
In the last week, six more people have died on the roads. This brings total fatalities for 2025 to 184 so far

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

'People are sad and broken inside. They don’t have the spirit to celebrate Christmas'
'People are sad and broken inside. They don’t have the spirit to celebrate Christmas'
In a Christian Palestinian village, a brewery battles the West Bank’s economic collapse and rising settler violence

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

A pensioner adjusting the temperature control on his combi boiler. Redcar, UK. 26/5/2021. Photograph: Stuart Boulton.
Irish Examiner view: Innovation essential to reduce costs
Our apparent inability to meaningfully diversify away from gas-fired electricity generation is certainly a factor here and there is less competition amongst Irish suppliers — but these factors don’t tell the full story

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

Man packing full shopping bags into the car trunk
Life Hack: Doing the Christmas shop? Here’s how to pack your groceries
This will help avoid arguments at the tills

Mon, 22 Dec, 2025

Cheerful extended family talking during Christmas dinner at home.
Gareth O'Callaghan: Christmas, belonging and the quiet loneliness many of us carry
A reflective look at Christmas, loneliness, exile, and why belonging matters more than gifts, traditions, or perfect family rituals

Sat, 20 Dec, 2025

Christmas buzz on Patrick’s Street as Cork City comes alive for the festive rush
Christmas buzz on Patrick’s Street as Cork City comes alive for the festive rush
From garda patrols and street cleaners to singers and shopkeepers, Cork city’s Christmas spirit shines brightest on its main street

Sat, 20 Dec, 2025

Roy Keane among the arrivals at Cork Airport as Christmas homecomings spark joyous scenes
Roy Keane among the arrivals at Cork Airport as Christmas homecomings spark joyous scenes
Tears of joy as some of the 164,000 passengers Cork Airport will greet between now and Little Christmas arrive home

Fri, 19 Dec, 2025

'The most common question I’m asked is if the reindeers fly. My answer is always the same'
'The most common question I’m asked is if the reindeers fly. My answer is always the same'
They all have their own unique names and identities, says Philippa Auret tells Sarah Horgan on a trip to Cork with her reindeer

Fri, 19 Dec, 2025

robin bird
Christmas pre-tinsel: when plants — and robins — ran the show
Strip Christmas of its baubles, batteries and Amazon deliveries, and what you’re left with is, at heart, a festival of plants. Trees dragged indoors. Mistletoe hung from the ceiling. Berries admired but (wisely) not eaten.

Fri, 19 Dec, 2025

back view of an electric scooter rider. evening road
Richard Hogan: E-scooters for teens and mobiles for young children — a recipe for disaster
The best gift you could give your child this Christmas is the gift of parenting... not an e-scooter, writes Richard Hogan

Wed, 17 Dec, 2025

Football boots and a doll's house: The Santa wish lists from children in Cork's direct provision centres
Football boots and a doll's house: The Santa wish lists from children in Cork's direct provision centres
More than 100 children and teenagers from different direct provision centres in Cork City were treated to a joyous Christmas party by volunteers at UCC's Aula Maxima

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

All ready for holidays
Are you a 'wrap star' or do you struggle with sticky tape and uneven corners on your wrapping?
Christmas, all wrapped up. We take a look at why we wrap presents and how the tradition has evolved

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

'A time of great hope': Former engineer is looking forward to his first Christmas as a priest
'A time of great hope': Former engineer is looking forward to his first Christmas as a priest
52-year-old Stuart McGovern worked in telecoms and ran his own firm but always wanted ‘more than what the world had to offer’ — a quest that has led to his ordination as a Catholic priest

Mon, 15 Dec, 2025

Boy blowing nose
Parents urged to consider flu jabs for children as stocks of nasal vaccine run out
Stocks of Fluenz LAIV nasal spray flu vaccine are running out — but pharmacist says parents could phone around as some pharmacies may still have some stock

Sat, 13 Dec, 2025

Too much of a good thing
Should the office Christmas party be abolished?
The traditional formula — open bar, late finish, minimal boundaries — is increasingly hard to justify in a working world shaped by higher behavioural standards, stronger awareness of rights, and far less tolerance for misconduct

Thu, 11 Dec, 2025

An Post Christmas backlogs grow as customers wait a week or more for parcel deliveries
An Post Christmas backlogs grow as customers wait a week or more for parcel deliveries
Company said it was 'doing everything possible' but 'some things can take a little longer to make their journey'

Wed, 10 Dec, 2025

Our best Christmas ever: ‘We got last-minute tickets to the Late Late Toy Show'
Our best Christmas ever: ‘We got last-minute tickets to the Late Late Toy Show'
Weddings, families reunited, new pets all helped make Christmas extra special for these families

Tue, 09 Dec, 2025

You doing alright my dear?
S Fergus Finlay: No politics this week — I’m giving you a quiz for Christmas
As Christmas arrives early in our house, so too does the annual tradition of impossible quiz questions and family chaos

Tue, 09 Dec, 2025

Winter alcoholic hot drinks
Caitríona Redmond: Alcohol-free drink offerings need to improve
Is there a non-drinker tax?

Mon, 08 Dec, 2025

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Mick Clifford
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