Preparations are complete in the North Pole and Santa Claus has presents to deliver and a message for girls and boys in Ireland.
While Santa's home may look quiet now, it has been bustling with activity all year long as Father Christmas and his helpers make the toys and prepare parcels to be delivered to children throughout Ireland and the rest of the world.
The most secret place in the whole world, Santa's home at the North Pole.
Santa relies more and more on his computer records of children's addresses but also keeps a written backup in his centuries-old ledgers.
He's recorded the name of every boy and girl and their home addresses.
The reindeer have been gathering and now the task of gathering all the toys from Santa's workshops begins.
While it is traditional for Santa to deliver toys to children by coming down the chimney, he says not to worry if you do not have a chimney. He has other secret ways to deliver the presents.
Before heading off on his long journey Santa had a special message for the boys and girls in Ireland.
For all the people in Ireland, I wish the best of Christmases.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 24 December 1999. The reporter is Colm Connolly.
