We also decode 12 hot-button words or phrases you might have heard for the first time this year

The family and care referendums were soundly rejected, Leo Varadkar most unexpectedly stepped down, and there was a decided turnaround in parties’ fortunes

Worldview: Multipolarity is based mainly on nineteenth and early twentieth century European precedents concerning balances of state military and strategic power. A multiplex world allows due place in producing order and disorder for institutions, corporations, extremists and social movements

Probationary period will apply to man despite judge describing delay as ‘injustice’

If the 2024 election result marked stability, safety and conservatism, the biggest gig of the year underscored that same middle-brow innocuousness

Ukraine is still standing after more than 1,000 days of full-scale fighting with Russia, in the biggest war in Europe since 1945

The US president is a once-in-a-lifetime master manipulator of the unseen energies that sway the electorate

Back-to-back Olympic champion achieved the most coveted sporting triumph of all, going out on a high

Hospital investment, disability initiatives and expanding modular housing rank among the measures sought

Leading jockey JJ Slevin returns from extended injury lay-off with single mount at Thurles on Saturday

Kantar’s figure of €34.74 seems at odds with Irish people’s tendency to eat and drink with the abandon of a Tudor king at Christmas

New coalition government ‘on track’ to be formed by January 22nd, Simon Harris says

A political year of shocks and surprises somehow ended up as it began: with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in cahoots. The politician of the year may have had something to do with it

Fontaines DC top the 2024 Ticket critics’ choice lists, with Kneecap hot on their heels, but right across Irish music the profusion of excellence shows zero signs of stopping

As China and Russia weigh up their options in anticipation of Donald Trump’s second presidency, horrified countries in the Global South see Gaza as an emblem of US and European double standards

From Tidings: An Anthology of New Irish Christmas Stories, edited by Seán Farrell and published by Lilliput Press

Port and dessert wines are always delicious options but don’t miss some of the best drinks from Irish producers

Competition authorities investigating ‘no poach’ deals and alleged breaches on competition law on construction projects

Amid the traditional meal prep, non-meat diets can get overlooked. These two dishes will hold their own on any Christmas table

But that hegemony will end, perhaps soon. If you value good journalism and good design, give someone you love a newspaper subscription this Christmas