In this festive episode, Niall opens the phone lines and invites listeners to share the moments that truly signal Christmas in Ireland.

We’re asking you to finish the sentence:

🎄 “You know it’s Christmas in Ireland when…”

Is it when your mother definitely overcooks the turkey, but no one dares say a word? When you’re bundled into the car to visit relations you haven’t seen since last Christmas — and won’t see again until next year? Or the familiar chaos of ten people squeezed into a small house, steam on the windows, arguments over seats, and someone inevitably washing dishes all day?

Maybe it’s buying the perfect present for a small child, only for them to spend Christmas Day happily playing with the box. Or settling down to watch Willy Wonka (or The Sound of Music, Home Alone, or The Snowman) for the hundredth time. Midnight Mass in the cold. Selection boxes hidden — and found — too early. The smell of turf or coal, a big fry on Stephen’s Day, leftover ham in everything, and the annual debate over whether the Christmas decorations should come down on the 6th or be “left for another while”.

From childhood memories to adult traditions, funny moments to emotional ones, this episode is a celebration of the small, shared experiences that make Christmas in Ireland feel like Christmas.

🎄 Finish the sentence: “You know it’s Christmas in Ireland when…”

In this episode, Niall is joined by Ciarán Mullooly MEP and Jackie Flannery from the Irish Rural Association to discuss one of the most controversial trade proposals facing Ireland today: the EU-Mercosur trade agreement.

Ciarán explains why he believes Ireland should reject the deal, which supporters say will boost free trade and lead to cheaper imports, including beef. But critics warn the agreement could seriously undercut Irish farmers, weaken food and animal welfare standards, increase environmental damage, and put rural jobs at risk.

What would the EU-Mercosur deal really mean for your household? Are cheaper imports worth the potential cost to Irish farming, food safety, and rural communities — or is this another EU deal that benefits big corporations while ordinary people pay the price?

💬 Have your say. Text or WhatsApp your views to 085 100 22 55.

Today on the show, Niall opens the phone lines to debate a question that always sparks strong opinions at this time of year:

Should Christmas Eve be a public holiday in Ireland?

The discussion follows news from the US, where President Trump has signed an executive order declaring Christmas Eve and December 26th as federal holidays. While federal holidays aren’t the same as bank holidays, it raises an interesting question closer to home.

On one side of the argument, callers say Christmas Eve is already half a day in reality — schools are closed, offices wind down, and families want time together without rushing or taking annual leave. Supporters argue a Christmas Eve bank holiday would improve work-life balance and recognise the importance of family time.

On the other side, business owners — especially in retail, hospitality, and small businesses — warn that another paid public holiday comes at a serious cost. Christmas Eve is one of the busiest shopping days of the year, and closing or paying premium wages could seriously hit margins.

💶 So what would it actually cost?

Ireland has roughly 2.6 million people in work.

Using a conservative average daily wage of around €180, one extra paid public holiday could cost Irish businesses approximately:

€460–€500 million

That figure doesn’t include knock-on effects like lost retail sales, overtime premiums, or reduced productivity — but it also doesn’t factor in potential benefits such as higher morale, better staff retention, and improved work-life balance.

So what do you think?

👉 Should Christmas Eve be a paid public holiday?

👉 Or is it one day too far for Irish business?

👉 Who should carry the cost — employers, the state, or no one at all?

💬 Have your say — comments and voice notes to WhatsApp 085 100 22 55.