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

My name is Alison Arnopp.

I’m from Bandon though I now live in London and I am a singer, actor and writer.

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

When my husband and I first moved in together he got me an electric piano our first Christmas together, so I could teach singing more easily from home.

It was a huge surprise and such a generous and thoughtful gift, I was delighted.

What is your favourite childhood memory of Christmas?

We were so fortunate to have my mum’s parents and my dad’s dad living in Bandon close to us.

I loved going to visit them but especially at Christmas.

Granny would hang chocolate decorations on the tree that we were finally allowed to eat and we’d try some of their Christmas cake and see if I liked the marzipan this year (inevitably giving it to my mum).

I’d get to sing my party piece of course.

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

Olivia Coleman and Patricia Routledge - I think we’d have an absolute laugh and a fab sing round the piano.

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

This is awful to say as an actor- but no screen time for anyone for the whole day would be lovely. Your options would be to play a board game, read a book, nap or snack.

What is your favourite thing about a West Cork Christmas?

Midnight mass on Christmas Eve. West Cork hospitality - you can’t beat our food and drink, especially at Christmas, I can almost taste the hot port while writing this!

Also, and this probably doesn’t happen so much anymore, but when it gets really cold you can smell which houses have a turf fire lit.

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

I would like to be able to fall asleep anywhere and any time I decide- a little off-switch for my brain would really improve my life if I think!

What was the best thing about 2025?

Purchasing and moving into our first home, and having my first two pieces of writing performed onstage.

‘Robin Hood’ plays at a 400-seater in Horsham this Christmas and I performed my solo show ‘GirlBossGod’ at Camden Fringe and a theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles.

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

I’m excited to keep working on my solo show and hopefully start some new creative projects.

I’d like to keep decorating our new home and spend a bit more time in West Cork!

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