First sign of Christmas! The Holly Bough is out

For Corkonians, it is the first sign that Christmas is coming.

The 2023 Holly Bough went on sale in shops, on the streets, and online today, heralding the countdown to the festive season.

Founded in 1897, the festive publication has become a key part of the Cork Christmas.

First to get his hands on a cherished copy in City Hall was Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Kieran McCarthy - a keen local historian and frequent contributor to the magazine. He said: “Christmas just isn’t Christmas in Cork without the Holly Bough.”

The brilliant cover artwork - a montage of Cork’s best-known buildings in a festive scene - was designed by artist Fiona Foley, of Toames, near Macroom.

The question for readers is: How many of these 30-plus well-known buildings can you identify?

Don’t worry, the Holly Bough contains a key inside, listing all of the landmarks in case you fall short of the target!

Many of the buildings will be readily identified by Corkonians. As well as the distinctive steeples of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral and St Anne’s, Shandon, Fiona drew a host of timeless city landmarks - many will spot the English Market, the Everyman, Beamish & Crawford, The Long Valley, Firkin Crane, the old Echo and Examiner offices...

Fiona even added herself and her family to the artwork - and included her father’s old house in Cork city.

Based in Toames, near Macroom, Fiona’s trademark style is to draw “higgledy-piggedly” buildings and she adapted that to dazzling effect for this year’s Holly Bough cover art.

Each year, a different Cork artist is asked to design the cover of the 126-year-old publication, and Fiona said: “I hope these buildings and the scene might evoke nostalgia for Holly Bough readers this Christmas. I was delighted to illustrate it.

“We grew up with the Holly Bough in our house and I always love the cover. There are loads of outstanding Cork artists, it has always been something I have dreamed of doing.”

Holly Bough editor John Dolan said the tradition of a local artist deg the cover, and the big reveal to readers every year, have really captured the imagination of Corkonians.

“Fiona’s beautiful artwork is a superb addition to that tradition,” he added.

The 2023 edition is packed with 164 pages of fascinating stories about Cork’s people and its past, as well as festive features, fictional short stories, a bumper sports section - not to mention the ever-popular Diffney Quiz and prize crossword.

What's this? Something is stirring on the presses - the first sign in Cork that Christmas is on the way... pic.twitter.com/bo36TKlxk3

— EchoLive.ie (@echolivecork) November 2, 2023

“We have stories that will move you, amuse you, amaze you, make you laugh and... yes, maybe shed the odd tear too. All human life is here, and more!” Mr Dolan added.

• The Holly Bough is on sale in shops now, price €6, and also online at hollybough.ie