What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Giving gifts.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
St Nikolaos of Myra – apart from his tendency to beat up bishops who didn’t agree with him.
Which living person do you most admire?
Mrs Claus, she has a lot to put up with.
Which is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Indulging in too much sherry and gin on Christmas Eve – I blame the parents, they leave it out for me!
What is your greatest extravagance?
Giving presents.
What is your favourite journey?
Going around the world on Christmas Eve.
On what occasion do you lie?
I just can’t, not when I expect children to be good all year.
Which living person do you most despise?
Anyone who would cause any physical, mental, or emotional hurt to a child.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Mrs Claus.
When and where were you happiest?
Any Christmas Eve you care to mention.
Which talent would you most like to have?
The ability to slim down but alas I remain a portly gentleman!
What is your current state of mind?
Frantic. There’s only two days to go!
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Circumnavigating the globe on a sledge in 24 hours each Christmas Eve.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what do you think it would be?
Myself.
What is your most treasured possession?
The in-built Warp Speed facility on my sledge. Rudolph and I couldn’t manage Christmas Eve without it.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
No sherry or gin left out for me after managing to squeeze down the chimney.
What is your favourite occupation?
Being Santa Claus.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Generosity and kindness.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Generosity and kindness.
Who are your favourite writers?
Francis Pharcellus Church, author of the newspaper editorial ‘Yes Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus’.
What is your motto?
God Jul (Swedish ), Hyvaa joulua (Finnish ), or Buorrit Juovllat (Sami ) - the three ways we say Merry Christmas here in Lapland.
Santa will be delivering Christmas presents to children around the world on Christmas Eve and he would like to wish all Galway children a very Merry Christmas. Kernan Andrews
