Who are you, where are you from and what do you do?

My name is Paulien Schreuder, I am originally from Holland and I own Polly’s bookshop in Castletownbere.

What was the most unexpected gift you’ve ever received for Christmas?

I got an electric hairbrush, I guess somewhere early ’70s. I used to have a real bush of hair.

And then I got this amazing present, I was delighted with it and I still have it.

I don’t use it anymore for 50 years but I still cherish this present, I got it from my eldest sister who was nine years older than me and who died in 2008.

What is your favourite childhood memory of Christmas?  

That must be Christmas morning, afterer breakfast.

We would all gather at the Christmas tree and the crib, my father and mother and my four sisters and we would put the baby Jesus in the crib and light a candle for each daughter.

So five candles in total. I loved that.

Name two celebrity guests, alive or dead, that you would invite to your Christmas party, and why?

I would invite Princess Beatrix, she is no longer the queen of the Netherlands but she was for 35 years and I really admired her.

She was formal but I like that in a queen and she always knew what was going on.

She kept on going even when her husband and son died.

And I would like to invite the (former) President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, I admire him as well, he is very straightforward and warm and caring.

I like small parties so I would ask my husband to make a lovely dinner and the queen and the president could talk about the challenges of their (previous) work.

Something that’s not a Christmas tradition, but it should be...what is it?

Go for a long walk on Christmas morning with your loved ones.

You don’t need to talk, just listen to nature and enjoy the peace.

What is your favourite thing about a West Cork Christmas?

At night it is very dark around here, so I like all the houses with lights and Father Christmas hanging on the chimney, the reindeers etc.

So in the middle of the dark there is a light and it becomes brighter the closer you come.

If Santa could give talents as gifts, what one would you like and why?

I would like to get more patient, I am absolutely not patient, a real nuisance for everybody around me and for my self and I am always a bit envious of people who are.

I think that is a great gift.

What was the best thing about 2025?

I have to say the opening of Polly’s bookshop and the great support I got from the people of Beara, that feels so good.

Health, wealth and wellbeing aside, what are your hopes for 2026?

I hope that the war in Ukraine will come to an end.

Hopefully the situation in Gaza is improving and the ceasefire will stand but there are no plans for Ukraine.

I would invite Zelensky for my Christmas party because I admire his persistence and courage but I guess he is too busy.

This article was featured in our Christmas in West Cork 2025 magazine – you can read the full magazine here!