Entries poured in again this year for the Holly Bough's much loved Diffney quiz and also crossword. Here's a list of the answers and also details on who won both prizes

A campaign to keep Christmas lights on during the month of January, supported by the Labour Party in Cork, gained substantial momentum last year. 

Cork mother Susan O’Sullivan tells Martha Brennan that for her family, Christmas is a time to give thanks, and why she wants to raise awareness of the support needed for families with a child in hospital.

Cork County Mayor Gillian Coughlan talks to Roisin Burke about the effects of the pandemic, Irish Water, retail, and her plans for the remainder of her term in office

CCFR said they were extremely grateful to Mr Murphy for his generous donation.

MEMBERS of the St Mary’s Senior Citizens Knocknaheeny/Hollyhill group recently met for their last weekly lunch of the year before the festive season.

It was a throwaway sentence in a casual conversation, but for Corkman BRIAN DAUGHTON, it turned a festive meal into a real turkey... Here we publish his article from Holly Bough

A life-long reader of the Holly Bough, Billy Coleman feared he would miss out on his annual Christmas treat last year... then his granddaughter came to the rescue, says JOHN DOLAN

Imagine a girl of 16 emigrating alone to the U.S. That's what happened to John O'Mahony's sister Joan, in 1949. Here he recalls her sad departure, and the thrill of getting a Christmas parcel laden with goodies off her

While the rest of us tuck into turkey, men and women around Cork, in the gardaí, in hospitals, and in emergency services, will be working hard.

The swim, which first started nine years ago, raises vital funds every year for the Mercy Hospital Kids and Teens Appeal, whilst also allowing people to remember a popular Cork boy.

Santa will officiate over the festive cheer, while Hank Wedel and the High Hopes Choir will provide musical accompaniment.

Mr Martin said adapting to Omicron hasn’t involved the same level of lockdown as last year, because of vaccination levels, “even though the case numbers are very high”.

Mr Martin also revealed that he has received a hand-painted landscape Christmas card from Green party leader Eamon Ryan.

Fr James McSweeney tells us how he spends his weekends - in particular this Christmas weekend 

Here we publish one of our features from Cork's Holly Bough

Here we publish one of our features from Cork's Holly Bough

Catholic Bishop of Cork and Ross Fintan Gavin talks to Donal O’Keeffe about taking up his role in Cork, his vision of the future, and the challenges brought about by the pandemic

A Corkman now living in New Jersey tells JO KERRIGAN how the terrorist attack on New York in 2001 brought back memories of the Opera House blaze in 1955

Met Éireann has confirmed that while there remains some uncertainty in the forecast for Christmas weekend, "with Rudolph's help, Santa will have no problem making his way through the rain" if wet conditions persist.

For Dickens, the child should be at the centre of the Christmas celebrations... Colette Sheridan calls on people to rediscover their inner child this festive period

Cork Airport said it expects about 60,000 passengers to travel through the airport this Christmas.

MARTHA BRENNAN checks in with some Cork women to ask them how they will be spending Christmas

From musicals to children's movies, comedy, action and romance - here's our round up of movies airing over the Christmas period

A tv programme dedicated to Seán Ó Riada airs on St Stephen’s Day on TG4 at 9.20pm

You just can't beat Christmas in Cork! 

The name Vincey Twomey is revered in Glen Rovers and Cork hurling folklore.

The Cork home won the public vote 

As St Fin Barre’s gets ready for Christmas, Donal O’Keeffe gets a guided tour of Cork’s Church of Ireland cathedral.

Two episodes of How To Cook Well at Christmas air on RTE this week

It's a Christmas to be grateful for the small things, says Kathriona Devereux in her weekly column

The Toy Soldier Factory in Macroom and Pinnochio's in Cork city feature in the TV show, The Toy Shop on RTE this week

John Dolan went along to review the Everyman panto this year, Aladdin

STUDENTS from Kilmeen National School recently staged a Christmas concert extravaganza for their friends and family members.

For some, it was visiting Santa, others recall the toys he brought, while some relished school concerts and plays. NICOLA DEPUIS asked Cork people for their favourite Christmas memories

They wrote and recorded a Christmas song, which will feature in Home School Hub: A Christmas Cracker

The bishops said the past year has been tough on everyone, with the Covid-19 pandemic continuing to affect all our lives.

The final countdown to Christmas is well and truly on.

Entertainment company, Socially Santa has teamed up with the charity to provide a Christmas experience for children in emergency accommodation

Nanny Nellie’s Adventures in Pantoland has opened at Cork Opera House and continues until January - here Elaine Duggan reviews it

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Cork city. 

EIMEAR HUTCHINSON shares some ideas ... and advice on how to keep it local!

Daniel Leahy, horticulturist and owner of Carewswood Garden Centre and Café in Castlemartyr, stockists of Irish Christmas trees, has advice to make sure your Christmas tree lasts the duration

Santa Claus (or one of his stand-ins) arrived early at Shalom Park this week and brought his ukulele with him, joining the Shandon Ukulele Ensemble as they belted out Christmas songs for delighted locals.

The precious cargo was delivered by Garda escort with VIPs including Santa Claus and two lion mascots from the club in tow.

In her weekly Theatre Nights column Jo Kerrigan looks at what productions are on stage in Cork this week

Cork’s kindest hairdresser is about to strike again, writes CHRIS DUNNE, as Joe Byrne tells her what he’s planned

HUNDREDS of adults dressed as Santa Claus participated in the annual Cork Santa Cycle in Cork city tonight.

Cork city’s five star hotel is combining an indulgent treat with a fundraiser for Cork Simon, running across the month of December.

THE annual Cork Santa Cycle which features hundreds of adults dressed as Santa Claus will take place in Cork city tomorrow night.