In a major boost to Cork’s reputation as home to industry, Santa Claus has relocated his workshop from the North Pole to the banks of the Lee for the month of December.

A giant ferris wheel, a winter wonderland fairy village for kids, and a festive food market will feature in Cork City’s award-winning Christmas festival, Glow, it was announced last night.

Here’s an exclusive head-start for smartphone-wielding treasure hunters facing into a culture night adventure.

The mayor of San Francisco Edwin Mah Lee served as grand marshal at the Cork St Patrick’s Day parade yesterday, making his first return visit to Leeside, having initially toured the city in 1969 as a high school student.

Chinatown comes to Cork tonight as a huge fire-breathing dragon and more than 350 ghouls and zombies take over one of the city’s most historic areas.