Like a lot of families this year, the Shan clan struggled through a Christmas unlike any other we're ever had to deal with. I ran a slight temperature on Christmas Eve, so we had to isolate for a few days until I'd been tested (the results came back negative -- phew!). And Ireland went into a strict lockdown almost as soon as Christmas was over, as Covid cases have soared.

But we managed to squeeze in a visit to Bunratty Folk Park just before Christmas, so we were very lucky to experience at least one night of wonder. We go to Bunratty every year in the run-up to Christmas, and while this year's event was different to the norm -- everyone had to social distance, there were far fewer people allowed in, there was no interaction or songs or fairground attraction -- it was still hugely enjoyable, and full marks to the staff for doing the best they could in an extremely difficult time.

The park was beautifully lit... Christmas songs were playing over the speakers... there were lots of decorations to admire... and even Santa put in an appearance, from the steps of the castle, to assure all the children that he'd be visiting their homes as normal on Christmas Eve. It was a bright spark in the middle of what have been the most challenging months of the epidemic to date. Hopefully we'll get back again next year, and this time won't have to keep quite so much of a gap between ourselves and the big fella in red...