Santa made his first stop in the world earlier today, on a remote Donegal island.
Donegal Daily can exclusively reveal that the Big Man flew by helicopter to Tory, landing there shortly after 2pm to personally deliver presents to all the good children.
It is the only place on the globe where little boys and girls receive gifts directly from the man himself.
Normally, most children do not receive their presents until Christmas Eve.
However, given the fact that Tory is Ireland’s most isolated island, he makes an exception for its inhabitants.
Santa arrives on Tory by helicopter. Pic: Shamíe Ó Dubhchóin.
Donegal Daily also understands that Santa flew to the island by helicopter as his reindeer and elves are currently resting at a secret location on the mainland in west Donegal.
Exclusive nighttime photographs, supplied to us by the R118 Rescue Helicopter crew, appear to show Santa flying along the Donegal coast last night.
The reindeer and elves are resting here as they will need all their energy before making the arduous journey tonight to Pacific island of Tonga, the first place in the world to celebrate Christmas, due to time difference.
He will, of course, be back in Donegal on Christmas Eve as usual.
The exclusive picture of Santa flying along the Donegal coast. Pic: Rescue R118.
Traditionally, the late King of Tory, Patsy Dan Rodgers, led Santa around the island playing his trusty old accordion.
Accompanied by a number of islanders, the door would be opened to Santa when the occupants of each house could hear Patsy’s tunes.
However, due to Covid restrictions, the children were brought to the helipad this afternoon to greet Santa on his arrival.
“This practice is not carried out anywhere else in the world, I can assure you,” a spokesperson for Comharchumann Thorai revealed to us.
“Santa likes it here because there is plenty to eat and drink and the accommodation is great,” they added.
The spokesperson took the opportunity to wish everyone on all the islands of Ireland, and on the mainland, a happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.