Corkonians Abroad: How three Cork women living overseas mark Christmas

Cathy O’Sullivan will spend her Christmas more than 18,000km away from home this year. In fact, it is now almost 20 years since she was back in Cork for the festivities.

But she says, the memory of the aroma of her Mum baking the Christmas cake is one that remains strong.

Based in Auckland, Cathy is looking forward to celebrating Christmas in New Zealand- something which she says is a more relaxed affair than here.

“It’s summertime here, so everyone just wants to be outside - at the beach, eating dinner outdoors, and enjoying the sunshine.

“There’s far less stress around shopping or presents than back home. We usually start the day with a swim, play a few games of cards, and cook meat on the spit or fire up the barbecue, with salads shared among friends and family. It’s a much more laid-back, low-key affair - and I love it,” she admits.

That’s not to say that Cathy doesn’t have fond memories of Christmas through the years here.

“I’ll forever remember the smell of Mum’s Christmas cake filling the house in the weeks leading up to the big day. Heading into the city with dad on Christmas Eve to get some last-minute presents and a new Christmas book in Waterstones, seeing the crib on Patrick Street, and coming home with that magical feeling - those are the memories that stay with me,” she says.

While it is now two decades since she celebrated Christmas at home, Cathy says she knows just how she’d mark the occasion if she were in Cork.

“If I ever make it back to Ireland for the festive season, I’ll be heading straight to the pubs of Carrigaline on Christmas Eve - catching up with school friends over a few drinks while Fairytale of New York plays loud in the background.”

It is estimated that more than 70 million people around the world are of Irish descent, and in the 12 months to April 2025, 65,600 people departed the State to start a new life overseas.

Cork woman Maebh Barry moved to the US after college and lives there with her husband and two sons.

She cherishes her memories of Christmas growing up in Cork.

“There’s a constant running through all of my memories, and that’s time with the family. Although it might sound like a cliché, waking up on Christmas morning and going downstairs to compare presents from Santa, putting on the “good” clothes to go to mass, and awaiting the arrival of grandparents and even more presents are all such core memories,” she says.

Maebh says she has been lucky to be able to come home to family every Christmas and continue to make these memories.

“We are fortunate in that we are able to travel home for Christmas. Getting to share that with my own little family has been so special.

“Many things have changed through the years with trying to catch up with friends, family in other counties, the odd night away or concert- but on Christmas Day there’s always a constant that I look forward to and that is the infamous turkey sambo, complete with a side of Hunky Dorys. It might even rival the main meal for me.

“Christmas in Cork is magic, boi. That’s not just my biased opinion, but that of my New York-born husband who has become a convert to a Cork Christmas thanks to the cosy pub and a refreshing pint in front of an open fire,” says Maebh.

Of course, she says, while they haven’t been stateside yet for Christmas itself, they have been able to enjoy much of the build-up and festivities there too, whether meeting friends for a Christmas drink before traveling Leeside or decorating their home with their children.

Brenda Dennehy is another Cork woman who holds memories of celebrating Christmas in Cork while growing up close to her heart.

“My favourite childhood memory has to be seeing all the Christmas lights in the city - those old-style decorations we all remember so well.

“I used to go into Café Kylemore with my mom for chicken nuggets and chips before she’d take me to Smyths to see what Santy (not Santa - we all know he’s Santy in Cork!) might be bringing me, and what my parents might have up their sleeves too.

“I also loved going into Roches Stores to do the big Christmas food shop for dinner - bags in both hands, the car stuffed full, and heading home to Ballydesmond stuck in Christmas rush hour, listening to 96FM blaring Christmas songs all the way.”

Brenda has spent the last number of years working in the UK. 

“Believe it or not, I’ve missed the last three Christmases being in London, and I’ve worked through all of them.

“Working in the media is 24/7 - just because it’s Christmas doesn’t mean the grind stops!

“My first Christmas Day away from home was with BBC News, and last year I was working with Good Morning Britain on Christmas Eve. I even managed a Parkrun on Christmas morning before going for a walk around Kensington Gardens.

“The mad thing is - it’s so busy here on Christmas Day. Tourists everywhere! Back home in Cork, there wouldn’t be a sinner on the road,” she says.

When Brenda did get home, she said there were a few non-negotiables on her list.

“Oh, I have to pop into Brown Thomas for a gander - it’s a must at Christmas in Cork. I always take a walk down Patrick Street and get a snap outside the Santa Claus at the GPO.

“I may be 40, but as they say, getting older is mandatory, growing up isn’t! And of course, picking up some Tom Durcan spiced beef to bring home to Ballydesmond is compulsory,” she says.

Being away at Christmas though, has been an experience, and Brenda decided to do Christmas Day dinner a bit differently last year.

“Things are very different here in London. I’ve never cooked a full Christmas dinner for myself - I don’t think I could face a whole turkey alone!

“Instead, I booked into a local pub for Christmas dinner last year and absolutely loved it. I always used to laugh at the Christmas Day pub scenes in the soaps and wonder, “Do people really go to the pub on Christmas Day in England? Well, I can now confirm they do - and you actually get a damn good Christmas dinner down the local! It’s great, but I can definitely confirm - it’s not Cork.”

Whether you celebrate Christmas at home or away, all of us here at the Holly Bough wish you, and all yours, a very merry Christmas.

This story appeared in the 2025 Holly Bough