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From the Archive: Santa on his way in 1999

Santa leaves North Pole 1999 - Preparations are complete in the North Pole and Santa Claus has presents to deliver and a message for girls and boys in Ireland.

News • 24 Dec 19

Retail Excellence says Christmas sales this year to be marginally ahead of last year

Christmas trade to grow by 1-2% - Retail Excellence

The last five days to Christmas Eve have traded well, in what is a "full employment" economy, according to Retail Excellence.

Business • 24 Dec 19

President Higgins with his dogs Bród and Síoda as he delivers his Christmas and New Year's Day message in Áras an Uachtaráin

Focus on climate, emigration in President's message

Climate change and emigration are among the issues in focus in the Christmas and New Year's message by President Michael D Higgins.

Ireland • 23 Dec 19

Northern Lights illuminate winter skies over Lapland

Tourists visiting northern Finland were treated to a stunning display of the Northern Lights that lasted for several hours on Wednesday and into the early hours of yesterday morning.

News Lens • 20 Dec 19

Christmas is a time when our bins fill up really quickly

Top tips for 'sleighing' your waste this Christmas

It is estimated that over the festive season we will produce 25 to 30 percent more waste than we normally do.

Ireland • 18 Dec 19

Thomas Barry is the face and name behind 'Thomas's Trendy Socks'

Giving it socks - dream job for young entrepreneur

The family of a young man from Tallaght with Down syndrome have launched a business selling colourful socks, so he can fulfil his dream of having a job.

Ireland • 17 Dec 19

A dog is for life, not just for Christmas

Dogs Trust to 'paws' adoptions over Christmas

Dogs Trust has said it is "pressing paws" on adoptions over the Christmas period.

Ireland • 16 Dec 19

Town repurposes plastic bottles to make Christmas tree

This year, the Estonian town of Viimsi, just outside the capital Tallinn, decided it was time to make Christmas more relevant, and green.

News Lens • 07 Dec 19

The ad features Arthur Jones, whose father runs the store with his grandparents

Welsh hardware store goes viral with £100 Christmas ad

The owner of an independent hardware shop has said he has been "overwhelmed" after a £100 Christmas advert starring his son became a viral sensation.

News Lens • 05 Dec 19

All gift vouchers now have a minimum expiry of five years

Claire Byrne Live • 04 Dec 19

Paddy Fay, President Higgins, Fr Peter McVerry and Pat Doyle pictured at Tabor House

'I hate Christmas' - campaigner Fr Peter McVerry

Homeless campaigner Fr Peter McVerry has spoken about how he "hates" Christmas because of the extra pressures it puts on people.

Ireland • 02 Dec 19

The build-up to Christmas can see the same tunes played over and over again

Shop bans modern Christmas songs to keep staff happy

A shop in England has banned "cheesy" Christmas songs for the sake of staff morale, the owners have said.

News Lens • 10 Nov 19

Toy maker Hornby said it had started its Brexit preparations last year

Hornby 'regrets' not making Brexit toy train

Scalextric and model train maker Hornby has said it regrets not making a "Brexit-themed model" as it cautioned over potential no-deal supply disruption ahead of Christmas.

Business • 25 Sep 19

Boohoo said its revenue rose 44% in the four months to December 31

Boohoo bucks gloomy Christmas with strong sales

UK online fashion retailer Boohoo today raised its full-year revenue guidance as it reported robust Christmas sales, successfully navigating a tough trading environment.

Business • 15 Jan 19

Shoppers spent an average of €694 on groceries during the month

Record €995m spent on groceries in December - Kantar

A record €995m was spent at Irish grocery retailers during December, according to latest figures from market research firm Kantar Worldpanel.

Business • 14 Jan 19

Artificial trees cannot be recycled, and are destined for landfill

Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, time to recycle thee

Local authorities across the country have organised facilities for recycling Christmas trees free of charge.

News Lens • 03 Jan 19

Childline said that while many homes are filled with happiness at this time of year, the magic of Christmas does not reach every child

More than 1,200 contacts to Childline on Christmas Day

Childline was contacted more than 1,200 times by children and young people across the country on Christmas Day.

Ireland • 26 Dec 18

Now in its 94th year, the event has been a feature of Christmas in Dublin since 1924

Hundreds attend Christmas Day dinner event in RDS

More than 450 people have attended the annual Christmas Day dinner at the RDS in Dublin.

Christmas • 25 Dec 18

Drone use in Ireland is regulated by the Irish Aviation Authority

Warning for new drone owners following Gatwick chaos

New drone owners are being warned about the dangers of flying the devices as soon as they unwrap them this Christmas after the travel chaos at Gatwick Airport.

UK • 26 Dec 18

Santa's final stops are expected to be in Hawaii and other small Pacific islands

Santa Claus completes reindeer-powered global tour

Santa Claus has completed his epic Christmas journey on schedule, sources close to him have said.

News • 25 Dec 18

Pope Francis addressing crowds from a balcony in The Vatican

Pope calls for reconciliation in Christmas address

Pope Francis has urged people to see differences as a source of richness instead of danger and has used his Christmas message to call for reconciliation in places torn apart by conflict.

World • 25 Dec 18

The organisation said while it is normal for footfall to fall by around 12% on a bad weather day, the declines doubled when Met Éireann issues an alert

Retailers to meet with Met Éireann over weather alerts

Industry representative body Retail Excellence has said it is to meet with Met Éireann in the New Year to discuss what it describes as the negative impact weather alerts have on footfall.

Business • 24 Dec 18