There are many things you don’t expect to do in your 20’s, and becoming Santa’s not-so-little helper would have topped my list, had I even considered it a possibility.

Last year at Fota Island Resort’s Santa experience, six men proposed to their partners, inspired — and perhaps emboldened — by the spirit of Christmas created there. A tough act to follow. So what’s going on down there this year?

AS the average age of brides rises to 32, hen nights are toning down.

A ROW between Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin and the most prominent anti-Lisbon campaign group has deepened over its ties with anti-abortion activists.

OPPONENTS of the Lisbon treaty sparked a war of words yesterday after claiming the independence of the Referendum Commission had been thrown into doubt because of alleged links to the yes campaign.

FORMER Fianna Fáil press director, Olivia Buckley is to join Murray Consultants next month.

ON a day when a born-again coalition renewed vows, it was only appropriate Bertie Ahern should spend some time in a maternity hospital.

Party candidates are being licked into shape, reports Political Correspondent Fionnán Sheahan.

WILLIAM TREVOR last night won the €10,000 Kerry Group Irish Fiction Award at Listowel Writers’ Week.

THE roses were under starter’s orders in Tralee last night after a flurry of gambling saw a number of rank outsiders blossom into favourites.

JUDGEMENT day is nigh for this summer’s roses, but they’re not wilting under the strain. The judges hover everywhere, even when the girls make their way up the aisle at St John’s church during Sunday mass.