“Tradition is normally Dundrum. There is a very nice local pub down the road”
Michelle Townsend and Ruairi Scott Byrne
10:17, 26 Dec 2025
Patrick Kielty on set of The Late Late Toy Show 2023(Image: Collins Photos)
Patrick Kielty has admitted he thinks Christmas kicks off far too early, but once the Toy Show is over, he throws himself wholeheartedly into the festive spirit.
The comedian always returns to his hometown of Dundrum in Co Down to spend Christmas with his family, maintaining certain cherished traditions year after year.
Following the whirlwind of presenting the Toy Show, Ireland’s most-watched annual television programme, Patrick’s sons Milo and James take immense pride in their father’s role as host.
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Speaking about his festive plans to RSVP Magazine, Patrick revealed: “It’ll just be the usual, family getting together and that sort of thing.
“Generally I find everything starts too early. Once the Toy Show is done and you get that out of the way, you can think further down the line.”, reports the Irish Mirror.
Elaborating on his annual rituals, the television presenter continued: “Tradition is normally Dundrum. There is a very nice local pub down the road.
“I live outside the village, more in the townlands, so this would be more the bar that the farmers would drink in.
“They open every Christmas morning for one hour. There is normally a walk down there for a sneaky pint before someone tries to burn the turkey. So that’s a tradition I love to follow every year.”
Having now hosted the Toy Show for three years, Patrick’s sons Milo and James are becoming increasingly fascinated by his television work. He joked: “I mean it’s a cool thing if dad can get them near the toys! There’s a very limited level of credibility that goes there.
“They were very impressed last year when we had the Olympians running through Smyths Toy Superstores – which is just the Mecca, Croke Park, Wembley Stadium, for kids. They were stunned the kids could go in and pick whatever toys they wanted.”
Patrick would rather watch the programme back with his two sons than have them tune in live on the Friday evening.
He said: “I like to watch it with them. Last year I got a kick out of seeing their faces watching me dressed as Kevin from Home Alone.”
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