# Christmas

All time

# covid19

UK restrictions may last 'for couple of months' as new strain harder to contain

Boris Johnson says the NHS would be overwhelmed without action to curb the new coronavirus strain.

49.9k

Updated

Dec 20th 2020, 10:36 AM

Voices

Larry Donnelly: Thinking of all emigrants like me this Christmas - not getting back home is really tough

Not going to Boston for a week after Christmas Day this year will be tough, particularly when his 86-year-old dad is in a nursing home alone, says Larry Donnelly.

15.0k

Dec 20th 2020, 8:30 AM

# TV trivia

Quiz: How much do you know about these TV Christmas specials?

From Father Ted to The Office to The Simpsons, what do you remember from these Christmas specials?

54.5k

Dec 19th 2020, 10:00 PM

Voices

Opinion: How to make a good Christmas ad, and a look at the best around

Advertising professional Kathleen Moore explains the process in creating those memorable Christmas ads and outlines some of her favourites.

22.1k

Dec 19th 2020, 8:00 PM

# Post-Christmas

Pub and restaurants expected to close their doors on 30 Dec, while inter-county travel set to continue until 6 January

Cabinet will meet on Tuesday to sign off on new post-Christmas restrictions.

99.0k

135

Dec 19th 2020, 12:21 AM

# Weather

Christmas weather: Wintry week ahead with hail, sleet and possible temperatures of -2 degrees

It’s expected that there will be no white Christmas this year.

22.6k

Dec 18th 2020, 12:13 PM

# Visiting

WHO warns people against gathering at Christmas as it is ‘not worth the risk’

The Taoiseach said yesterday that people in Ireland should expect new restrictions “before the new year”.

12.2k

Dec 18th 2020, 8:19 AM

# limit the spread

'Only meet people indoors that you trust with your life': Stark warning from HSE ahead of Christmas

The HSE said today that someone must prepare now if they’re visiting someone older or medically vulnerable at Christmas.

44.2k

Dec 17th 2020, 3:47 PM

# gift buying

Poll: Have you finished your Christmas shopping?

Will you end up panic-buying this year, or are your gifts wrapped and ready to go?

21.0k

Dec 17th 2020, 9:50 AM

# William Hill

David Meyler: Christmas can be different when you're playing but I always reminded myself how lucky I was

In this week’s column, the ex-Ireland midfielder looks back at his career before predicting how two of the weekend’s biggest Premier League games will go.

2.7k

Dec 17th 2020, 9:04 AM

# Coronavirus

Britain urged to scale back Christmas as Johnson encourages 'smaller, safer' festivities

The NI Executive will meet today to discuss Covid-19 restrictions.

6.4k

Dec 17th 2020, 7:10 AM

# world health organization

WHO urges families to wear face masks during Christmas gatherings

It also said that it expects a resurgence of Covid-19 in early 2021.

18.3k

Dec 16th 2020, 11:35 AM

# Your Say

Poll: Are you happy with the Covid-19 restrictions in place for Christmas?

The new measures on household visits and inter-county travel take effect from Friday.

39.9k

Dec 16th 2020, 9:17 AM

# Your Say

Poll: Have you started limiting your contacts ahead of Christmas?

One death and 429 new cases confirmed yesterday.

32.9k

Dec 14th 2020, 9:54 AM

# Band Aid

Quiz: Who sings this line in Do They Know It's Christmas?

You’ll get the Bono at least, right?

48.0k

Dec 13th 2020, 10:00 PM

# Poll

Poll: Will you try to limit your waste this Christmas?

Limiting waste isn’t always at the top of the priority list at Christmas.

26.3k

Dec 13th 2020, 11:22 AM

Voices

Opinion: Why the planet needs us to cut our consumption this Christmas

Environmental campaigner Lyndsey O’Connell explains how our online festive shopping habits are leading to an excess of cardboard and plastic waste.

14.7k

Dec 12th 2020, 8:00 PM

# Christmas

English schools could face legal action if they plan to shut early for Christmas

The idea to close schools early for Christmas was also raised in Ireland in recent weeks.

16.8k

Dec 12th 2020, 2:43 PM

# Your Say

Poll: Are you looking forward to Christmas?

How are you feeling about the festive period ahead?

46.4k

Dec 12th 2020, 11:15 AM

# supply and demand

'Amber alert' issued by Eirgrid as electricity system comes under pressure to meet demand

The warning came as Eirgrid are set to close two peat-fueled power plants in the Midlands.

29.0k

Dec 11th 2020, 1:42 PM

# small circle

People advised to limit contacts from today if they're seeing vulnerable relatives over Christmas

This message was shared by both health officials and government over the past 24 hours.

13.8k

Dec 11th 2020, 12:22 PM

# aras

President Higgins unveils river of light at the Áras for those who cannot join family this Christmas

Separately, the president sent his best wishes to third level students in a special Christmas message.

21.0k

Dec 11th 2020, 8:43 AM

# 'tis the season

Jon Bon Jovi changes a few lyrics and 'loses all his swagger' in Fairytale of New York rewrite

Bon Jovi penned an alternative version to get around any words or phrases that might be deemed offensive.

96.8k

103

Dec 9th 2020, 7:01 PM

# Your Say

Poll: Is 8 December the start of Christmas?

‘Tis the season… or is it?

25.8k

Dec 8th 2020, 9:20 AM

# smishing

Warning over spate of fake texts claiming customs charges owed on online buys

Warnings issued as scammers are using so-called “sim towers” to circulate fake text messages purporting to be from legitimate parcel delivery firms.

111k

Dec 5th 2020, 6:30 AM

# HSE

Full Covid-19 testing and tracing will be provided during the Christmas period

The Covid facilities will have to be fully resourced over the holidays, says the HSE.

10.8k

Dec 3rd 2020, 3:59 PM

# covid19

'Stay away from crowded shops, streets and buses': Caution urged as retailers open back up for Christmas shopping

The government has asked customers to “play their part” as we head into the busiest shopping season of the year.

20.0k

Dec 1st 2020, 12:05 AM

# LEVEL3

Dr Ronan Glynn: 'Just because you can do things from tomorrow doesn't mean that you should'

Dr Glynn warned that family gatherings at Christmas on top of socialising in the lead-up will pose “significant” challenges in terms of Covid-19 case numbers.

48.4k

Nov 30th 2020, 8:10 PM

# oh christmas tree

Green Party Minister encourages people to buy a real Christmas tree

Irish growers produce around 650,000 Christmas trees each year.

16.8k

Nov 30th 2020, 1:55 PM

# Your Say

Poll: When are you putting up your Christmas tree?

The countdown to Christmas has well and truly begun.

40.8k

Nov 30th 2020, 7:52 AM

# covid christmas

Limit Christmas visits to protect loved ones, says public health expert

Dr Gabriel Scally has said that now is “not the time” to allow the virus to spread.

28.3k

Nov 28th 2020, 4:30 PM

# Christmas like no other

Face masks while cooking and no hugs: Here's the advice on how to plan Christmas Day this year

How should we plan the 25 December based on what we were told last night?

41.2k

Nov 28th 2020, 11:55 AM

# DublinTown

Dublin business group objects to Council's Christmas music plan saying it would create a 'cacophony' of 'sonic conflict'

The Council has proposed piloting a radio messaging and Christmas music programme in the Grafton Street area for six weeks starting in early December.

34.1k

Nov 28th 2020, 6:30 AM

# January

'January lockdown' not ruled out but non-essential retail outlets will not cIose

The phased reopening of the country ahead of Christmas was announced last night.

33.1k

Nov 28th 2020, 6:15 AM

# leaving level 5

What is the new advice around household visits and travel?

The Government has announced its advice for December and the Christmas period.

35.1k

Nov 27th 2020, 6:24 PM

# level five

Cabinet to meet this afternoon to finalise details of Covid-19 restrictions for Christmas

The Taoiseach says some of the decisions may not be palatable for some.

Retailers, gyms and hairdressers are expected to reopen on Tuesday.

Cabinet is to decide on when household restrictions will be relaxed this afternoon.

A nationwide address by the Taoiseach on the new rules is expected this evening.

50.2k

Updated

Nov 27th 2020, 12:10 PM

# Homelessness

RDS Christmas Day dinner for homeless to be held as takeaway service outside Mansion House this year

Those in need can attend the mobile kitchen between 10am and 1pm on Christmas Day.

13.8k

Nov 27th 2020, 11:54 AM

# Covid-19

Mike Ryan says there's a 'genuine desire to offer people the hope of Christmas' but risks remain

Dr Ryan said he doesn’t “envy” the Irish government and there are “no easy answers”.

17.4k

Nov 26th 2020, 1:15 PM

# good news

'He's exempt. He's coming': Government confirms no restrictions for Santa travelling to Ireland this Christmas

Sinn Féin’s John Brady posed the question to Minister Simon Coveney as it is “playing on the minds” of children across the country.

28.1k

Nov 26th 2020, 12:16 PM

# falalalalalalalala

Christmas FM returns to the airwaves this weekend

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

21.4k

Nov 25th 2020, 3:00 PM