All About Cork: Charming Nordic-Inspired Santa Experience coming to Douglas

Are you looking for a magical Santa experience in the run-up to Christmas?

Santa is popping up at Douglas Village Shopping Centre in a custom-crafted Christmas tipi (or Kota, as it is known in Finland) for a charming Nordic-inspired Christmas experience.

Set within a miniature village, with a beautifully decorated Scandinavian-style tipi at its heart, the area will be surrounded by Christmas trees and a festive market where you can enjoy seasonal treats.

These warming roasted chestnuts, delicious hot chocolate with all the toppings and other tempting fare.

Santa will arrive at Santa’s Nordic Tipi on Saturday, November 23, at 12 noon with Christmas magic in the air.

Santa is excited to come to Douglas spreading holiday cheer to families and friends, and will make his home in the Nordic Tipi until December 23.

Santa’s home away from home is decked out with a cosy fire, toys, his all-important desk for making his list and checking it twice, all under the shadow of a beautiful Christmas tree.

Guests will be given time to sit and talk with Santa, ask him any questions, and maybe even answer a few of his.

Children will leave with a special gift and Santa;s elves will capture this magical moment with a photo to remember your special visit.

These can be purchased afterward in a variety of prints and can be made into photo snow globes and bauble for added souvenirs or as ideal gifts for special family members.

The event is also fully accessible. And with Douglas Village Shopping Centre’s festive atmosphere and wide range of shops, there’s plenty to do before or after your visit to Santa’s Nordic Tipi.

Commenting on this year’s event, David O’Driscoll, marketing manager at Cork-based TS Events, said: “We are thrilled to have Santa join us to bring this magical experience to Douglas. We’ve worked closely with the elves to make this a unique and memorable event for all.

“As a family-run business, we know a little something about what makes Christmas special, and we can’t wait to share the joy of Christmas with everyone who visits.”

Adding to the feel good factor is that Enable Ireland has been the event’s charity partner.

Tickets are: Adults, €6.50; babies aged 0-12 months, €6 (without gift) or €17 (with gift); children aged 13 months and above, €17 (with gift) and pre-paid photo print is €15. Optional extras such as photo prints and festive treats will also be available.

For more details and bookings, visit or follow @Santas_Nordic_Tipi on social media. Tickets are now on sale.

System overhaul needed to address Douglas traffic chaos

Douglas is continuing to ‘grind to a halt’ at weekends and a busy times of the day which requires a complete reset and overhaul of traffic systems in the village, according to General Election candidate Mick Finn.

The former councillor said he had raised issues with the build-up of vehicles on the Douglas West ramp at the Gaelscoil and Douglas Community School while he was in City Hall, but said he had limited success with any improvements and his calls ‘largely fell on deaf ears’.

“It’s worse it’s getting,” he stated. “I have been in an around Douglas lately and people are complaining about traffic chaos, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays,” he claimed.

“Coming into Douglas from the Well Road, traffic was at a stand-still and nothing was moving in between the shopping centres with lines of vehicles stalled in all directions. I know this is a regular occurrence and people are getting very frustrated by it: something major needs to be done.”

Finn said that tinkering with elements of traffic infrastructure may yield some success, but added that a major overhaul of what’s presently in place is required.

“The current traffic light regime is just not working and is under severe pressure from increased vehicles using the roads: so we need a regime change and a complete reset of the systems in operation.

“This is likely to required funding for a major survey and I will be pushing that with the Infrastructure Directorate and with the new CE of Cork City Council, Valerie O’Sullivan when she starts the role.”

Finn also believes that a move to buses is unlikely to be considered by more people at present, given the unreliable nature of the present service.

“And it would appear that the Bus Connects proposals are targeting the wrong arterial route in Douglas, as mentioned by several councillors at the time,” he said.

“There is a lot to be done before people opt for public transport over cars, which is we need and want.

“The absence of sufficient electric vehicle charging stations isn’t helping the cause either, as well predicted by many of us.”

Comhaltas na Dúglaise to hold their AGM tonight

Comhaltas na Dúglaise will hold their AGM this Monday at 8pm at Gaelscoil na Dúglaise.

Last week branch musicians played at the café MYO on Pope’s Quay as part of a fundraiser in aid of Palestine.

The branch also held their annual collection at Douglas Court Shopping Centre last Saturday and continue to promote the national draw. Meanwhile classes continue from 4.30pm in Gaelscoil na Dúglaise every Wednesday evening. Enquiries Douglas@comhaltas.net

Ballinlough Writers Group to meet next Friday evening

The Ballinlough Writers Group will be at the Ballinlough community centre this coming Friday, November 15, from 5.30pm.

A spokesperson said: “If you are new to this please note the Ballinlough Writers Group meet on the third Friday of every month and it’s open to all people, including beginners, and anyone interested in writing.

“So even if you’re only half interested please come along and check us out. We look forward to meeting you.”

Enquiries to Ronnie 087 1672715.

Analysis of disability spending highlights fragmented system

Labour Party Candidate in Cork South Central Cllr Laura Harmon has said the newly published report on disability spending highlights the fragmented nature of disability financing in Ireland and says it must be brought into a cohesive financial vote which is critical to ensure it is being spent correctly.

“This new report highlights the massive spread in the disability sector of State financing, but critically, finds that there is a lack of clarity re eligibility to various schemes and supports which seemingly conflate age and disability. The very idea that when a child hits the age of 16 they are kicked off domiciliary care allowance and forced to apply, with all the documentation ended, for disability allowance, is antiquated. disability doesn’t magically disappear when the clocks strike midnight on someone’s birthday.

“The messy, fragmented nature highlighted in the report shows that we need to stop ad hoccing disability payments across Departments and centralise it further, ideally within the Department of the Taoiseach.

“This election is a chance to elect TDs that will treat disability funding with the respect it deserves.”

Have Douglas news to share? Contact Rory.noonan@theecho.ie