Christmas

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 • 20 Dec 25

"Don't you see what a mistake it would be not to watch It's A Wonderful Life this Christmas?" Photo: PA

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

Christmas • 19 Dec 25

How to fix spills, stains and domestic disasters this Christmas

Make light work of those mishaps amidst the merriment, says Sam Wylie-Harris.

living • 19 Dec 25

Patrick Mullins is set for a busy Christmas

Mullins looking for Limerick Christmas present

Limerick's Guinness 00 Faugheen Novice Steeplechase may deliver the ideal Christmas gift for Patrick Mullins, as the Grand National-winning jockey looks to further strengthen his impressive record in the Grade One contest.

Racing • 18 Dec 25

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 3: (L-R) Joe Anders and Kate Winslet attend the "Goodbye June" World Premiere at the Curzon Mayfair on December 3, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Jo Hale/Getty Images)

Kate Winslet on directing Goodbye June

The Oscar-winning actress makes her directorial debut with a script written by her son, Joe Anders.

Highlights • 18 Dec 25

A person wearing a pair of elf socks and pointy shoes stepping on a yellow background with some blank space on the left

From head to mistletoe: the curious biology of elves

Through the lens of this imagined elf, we take a look at general anatomy, using scientific principles and a nod to the Will Ferrell movie Elf

Christmas • 19 Dec 25

Black and white photograph of a strawboy and two wren boys outside the door at Lios Buí Kilnamartry Macroom Co Cork

A short history of mummers, straw boys and Wren Boys

From mummers to wren boys, the practice of rambling from house to house in rural Ireland lifted isolation for many communities at Christmas

Christmas • 18 Dec 25

Who needs Die Hard when you have Mrs Brown?

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 • 20 Dec 25

Christmas shoppers on Dublin's Henry Street in 1970. Photo: RTÉ Stills Department

Do you know these 7 great Irish Christmas traditions?

From the Christmas box to An Margadh Mór, here are some memorable Irish Christmas traditions from years past

History • 20 Dec 25

Expert tips for navigating difficult interactions at Christmas

The sparkle of the festive season can be dulled by challenges and difficult interactions.

living • 18 Dec 25

What Christmas movies reveal about social change over the decades

From Jingle All the Way to Die Hard, Christmas films are perfect record keepers of social change and how we evolve as a society

Christmas • 17 Dec 25

So you want to know about what happens on Christmas Eve, do you?

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 • 20 Dec 25

The End Of Christmas

Artists invite the public to use Christmas trees in a once-off installation on Sandymount strand.

Environment • 08 Jan

How Irish growers turn poinsettias into iconic Christmas plants

Behind the vintage Christmas plant decorating your home is a high‑tech nursery business operating on thin margins

Christmas • 17 Dec 25

A Roman Feast (Saturnalia), Second Half of the 19th cen.. Found in the Collection of J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles.

Saturnalia: The raucous ancient festival replaced by Christmas

Sex and relationship expert Dr Caroline West writes about the ancient festival of Saturnalia, which takes place on 17 December, and how celebrations back then compare to our Christmas celebrations today.

living • 17 Dec 25