Ireland has granted Santa Claus permission to enter the country on Christmas Eve - though under one (very reasonable) condition!
"I'm here in the office and I'm about to sign the authorization for Santa Claus to visit all of the homes in Ireland on Christmas Eve," Taoiseach Simon Harris said in a video message on December 19.
"And this authorization will allow Santa to enter Irish air space, will allow him [to] have access to any airports or airfields that he requires on Christmas Eve so that he can get all of the presents to all of the boys and girls right across the country.
"So I want to wish every boy and girl a very happy Christmas.
"Of course, there is a part of this deal you have to keep. You've got to be really good for your mums and your dads between now and Christmas Eve because Santa, of course, is watching and looking at that naughty and nice list.
"But this authorization today will make sure Santa can visit your home and I hope you have a great Christmas."
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How to track Santa Claus on Christmas Eve
The longest-running Santa Tracker is issued by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), a US - Canada bi-national organization that defends the homeland through aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning for North America.
NORAD tracks Santa Claus with radar, satellites, and even jet fighters.
NORAD Santa tracker:
What route does Santa Claus travel?
NORAD says Santa usually starts at the International Date Line (IDL) in the Pacific Ocean and travels west.
So, historically, Santa visits the South Pacific first, then New Zealand and Australia.
After that, he shoots up to Japan, over to Asia, across to Africa, then onto Western Europe (including Ireland!), Canada, the US, Mexico, and Central and South America.
NORAD does note that Santa's route can be affected by weather, so it's really unpredictable. NORAD says it coordinates with Santa's Elf Launch Staff to confirm his launch time, but from that point on, Santa calls the shots.
What time does Santa Claus get to Ireland?
NORAD admits it can't predict exactly when Santa Claus will arrive in each country.
However, NORAD says that historically, it appears Ol Saint Nick arrives only when children are asleep! In most countries, it seems Santa arrives between 9 pm and midnight on December 24, Christmas Eve.
NORAD notes that if children are still awake when Santa arrives, he moves on to other houses. He returns later, but only when the children are asleep!
Merry Christmas - Nollaig Shona Daoibh!
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