Who are you, where are you from and what do you do?
Conan O’Donovan (38), I live in Clonakilty.
There are five of us in my family, (six if you include my dog Kilty, he is a Scottish terrier).
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I am the mayor of Clonakilty and have a passion for most sports, especially the GAA – my job is going around to primary schools in Clon coaching GAA and I really enjoy it.
What was the most unexpected gift you’ve ever received for Christmas?
I suppose when I was 10 or 11 ,when we came down to open the presents on Christmas morning , my sisters handed me a gift and when I opened it, it was a globe of the world.
When you pressed a button for a country, it told you the name of the country and gave a small bit of info on it so it ended up being cool.
What is your favourite childhood memory of Christmas?
Christmas Eve when we would all go to my grandparents’ house in Barryroe.
All the cousins would be there.
My grandmother would dress up as Santa, and we would all get a present and play games and catch up with everyone.
Name two celebrity guests, alive or dead, that you would invite to your Christmas party, and why?
Peter O’Mahony, the former rugby player, because I could ask for some gardening tips and stories from his days playing rugby.
The other celebrity would be Sean Óg hAilpín, former Cork hurler.
He has given us so many great outings in the Cork jersey throughout the years.
Something that’s not a Christmas tradition, but it should be - what is it?
I think some people will give out about this but I think it would be nice if we had a bit of snow – for the children and the adults! That would top off Christmas.
What is your favourite thing about a West Cork Christmas?
I suppose towns lighting up for Christmas, friends and family coming home from abroad and catching up with everyone, that is the real magic of Christmas.
If Santa could give talents as gifts, what one would you like and why?
To be a professional runner who could represent the country in the big championship games and train full time, as I am into sports.
What was the best thing about 2025?
When I completed my 11th marathon in Cork, and a week later when I became Mayor of Clon which was a huge honour for me representing this beautiful town.
Health, wealth and wellbeing aside, what are your hopes for 2026?
Peace in the world, to continue coaching in schools and at club level, to travel abroad doing different runs, and hopefully to do another marathon later in the year.
