THE YEAR THAT WAS, WATERFORD WHISPERS STYLE

Ireland, 2026: a year when cost of the humble chicken fillet roll made it a luxury item and rising fuel costs sparked nationwide protests, with convoys of tractors and trucks bringing parts of the country to a standstill. On the brighter side, Ireland’s obsession with saunas exploded in 2026, with pop-up steam boxes appearing everywhere from beaches to industrial estates, offering the national dream: temporary warmth, minimal privacy, and the illusion of wellness before stepping back into reality. The beloved stocking filler returns, packed with the biggest stories, headlines and talking points from 2026 alongside a fresh helping of exclusive madness.

From sharp political satire and fuel-price fury to housing frustration, cost-of-living chaos, EU Presidency pageantry and everything in between, this festive must-have captures the year exactly as we lived it.