Columnists

Eithne Shortall: Christmas blows in on a harsh wind, but it may bring a perfect storm this year

Okay, it’s only the beginning of November, but after all the restricted festivities of recent years, it’s not too early to look forward to this Christmas and a chance to reconnect with the people who matter most

Now that Halloween is behind us, I hope you will forgive me for mentioning Christmas. I don’t usually bandy the C-word around in November – let the festivities drag on too long and the goodwill wilts faster than the tree – but I have just cause.

Last Christmas was bleak. We were still operating under restrictions, the war-time chin-up mentality of the first Covid Christmas had long worn off, and many people spent the big ...