It was the year of royal revelations and rugby, of Barbenheimer and Irish Booker success, of broken records in athletics and bust-ups on the pitch in football. At home, the news was dominated by the crisis at RTÉ and, later, by violence on the streets of Dublin. Abroad, Russia continued to wage war on Ukraine and the Gaza Strip was bomarded by Israel after the Hamas attack of October 7.
Not all of the finer things in life have to be sacrificed to the rising cost of living – confectionery is thankfully still on the nice (shopping) list.
It might be hard to imagine for any parent dragged around the colourful and cavernous aisles of Smyths this Christmas, but the toy chain began life as a newagent’s sideline.
Its supporters hope it will put pressure on Israel to end what they see as the oppression of Palestinians. Its opponents argue that the campaign veers into antisemitism.