The roots and traditions of Nollaig na mBan There are many Irish folk rituals associated with January 6th, the last day of Christmas and the day known as Nollaig na mBan Ireland • 19 Aug
How did the wren became the king of all birds? A huge number of folklore traditions and rituals have grown up around the little wren, especially at this time of year Christmas • 18 Dec 20
Can scientists answer kids' questions about Santa Claus? Irish school kids ask questions about what Santa does on Christmas Eve and a bunch of scientists try to provide the answers Christmas • 18 Dec 20
What will the rest of Europe be watching on TV over Christmas? Forget Mrs Brown's Boys, traditional European Christmas TV faves include Donald Duck, Dinner for One, cinepanettoni and Soviet architecture Christmas • 17 Dec 20
Why celebrating Christmas is good for your mental health After a tough year, embracing the spirit of Christmas and the New Year may be good for our mental health Christmas • 17 Dec 20
What makes Christmas songs so Christmassy? The science behind Christmas songs involves nostalgia, neural pathways, sleigh bells and, yes, Michael Bublé Christmas • 18 Dec 20
How Irish churches are celebrating Christmas during a pandemic Over-flowing churches will not be part of an Irish Christmas this year, but virtual forms of religion have proved hugely popular Christmas • 16 Dec 20
The 12 plants of Christmas From trees and wreaths to the food we eat, plants are a hugely important part of our Christmas rites and rituals Christmas • 16 Dec 20
How our generosity for charities exposes the failure of state Is it not an indictment of Ireland in 2020 that we still need to raise money to help out good causes and charities? Charity • 15 Dec 20
Why 'Fairytale of New York' ends up in the spotlight every year The annual debate about authenticity and censorship is now as predictable as arguments at the family dinner table on Christmas Day Fairytale of New York • 07 Dec 20
Why arguments about when Christmas starts are as old as the hills As history shows, preventing trees, lights, tinsel and baubles appearing earlier and earlier has been nigh on impossible Christmas • 30 Nov 20
The year Christmas was banned in Ireland and Britain Christmas was cancelled in 1647, but people fed up with restrictions and financial difficulties ignored the rules Christmas • 19 Nov 20
The science that makes chocolate so addictive How the chocolate industry relies on the right scientific recipe to keep customers happy Chocolate • 09 Apr 20
How four women sparked a social revolution on Christmas Eve 1775 Nano Nagle, Mary Fouhy, Elizabeth Burke and Mary Ann Collins were determined to create a fair society through education History • 08 Jan 20
Why cinnamon is the Christmas spice that keeps on giving Research shows that cinnamon and its constituents have a wide range of medicinal applications Chemistry • 20 Dec 19
How to keep the kids active over the holidays Children need to do at least one hour of physical activity a day to get their hearts and lungs working Health and Fitness • 19 Dec 19
How our ancestors enjoyed a sustainable Christmas Is it time to recycle some traditions of old to ensure a thoroughly green and climate-friendly Christmas? Folklore • 19 Aug
Just how do reindeers fly Santa's sleigh around the world? Santa Claus and his elf-scientists use some very smart climate-friendly science to get Christmas done Santa Claus • 17 Dec 20
How to make a Brexit Christmas pudding Is it possible to emulate the 1920s' Empire Christmas pudding and make one using just Brexit-friendly ingredients? Christmas • 18 Dec 19
Why Ireland goes mad for turkey at Christmas It's time for the birds hatched at Easter to become the stars of the show on the Christmas dinner table Farming • 17 Dec 19
Why It's A Wonderful Life is still a winner today Frank Capra's masterpiece remains a Christmas classic because the film still speaks to many to us at this time of year Film • 10 Dec 20
What was Christmas like in rural Ireland back in the day? Here are seven snapshots of how Christmas used to be marked in Ireland Christmas traditions • 19 Aug
The quasi-religious rites and rituals of the 12 Pubs Opinion: as Christmas goes further and further from its religious roots, it's interesting to note the quasi-religious behaviour of those who take part in the ... 12 Pubs of Christmas • 12 Dec 19
Is it Christmas yet? How music makes the cash registers ring Retailers know that the music they play in-store has a huge effect on business. Music • 11 Dec 19
Dear Santa, can I have Brand X? Today's children are commercially savvy and brand literate when they write to Santa with Christmas gift requests Christmas • 28 Nov 19
