KCĪs we await the arrival of Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans, revel in a contender for the great man’s best film this century, from 2002. This could be a nightmare before Christmas. Expect the usual ribald humour and Dublin vernacular as Cathy gets a new boyfriend, widower Boris, and Agnes has to babysit his twin daughters while they go to Foley’s for some Christmas cheer. But wait – there are creepy Stephen King-type twins in the house, and instead of Santa, there may be a vampire flying about – has Brendan O’Carroll accidentally done a Halloween special? All will be made clear in the first of two festive specials. It wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit to the mythical land of Finglas, where Agnes Brown and her brood are getting ready for the season that’s in it. Photograph: Alan Peebles Mrs Brown’s Boys RTÉ One, 9.25pm DCīrendan O’Carroll as Agnes Brown in Mrs Brown’s Boys. Steve McQueen hogs attention, but no sequences are so moving as those between James Garner’s scrounger and Donald Pleasence’s blind forger. An impeccable cast of contrasting actors contrives to frustrate the Jerrys and make it across the nearest border. Released in 1963, the daddy of escape movies has been a Christmas TV staple since, oh, around 1968 or so. Fun fact: the Catholic Legion of Decency rated this 1947 film “morally objectionable in part” – largely because our own Maureen O’Hara played a divorcee. What do you mean “which version?”? There is only one version that matters of this classic Christmas yarn concerning a department-store Santa who just might be the real thing. KC Christmas Day Miracle on 34th Street TG4, 12.40pm

Sharon Corr will recite a Patrick Kavanagh poem, while John Sheahan from The Dubliners will be joined onstage by his daughter Ceoladh for a rendition of the Marino Waltz. Ireland’s queen of the blues will be joined onstage at the Pepper Canister Church in Dublin by Glen Hansard, Jack L, Loah and Hawke the Band for a run-through of some seasonal favourites – heavily seasoned with Irish flavours.

If you can’t make it home for Christmas, don’t worry – Imelda May has gathered a bunch of her musical friends together for a Celtic-themed Christmas concert that’s sure to make you feel right at home wherever you are. “Like the wind.” DC Christmas in Ireland with Imelda May and Friends Sky Arts and Now, 9.30pm The cameos from John Gielgud and Lindsay Anderson are delightful. The nostalgic tale of two differently honourable men competing at the 1924 Olympics has weathered the years well since it was first released, in 1981. It’s not so well known now that this classic’s win at the Oscars was seen as a huge upset. To get you ready for this heartwarming Christmas special, Charlie Mackesy: The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse and Me (BBC Two, 3.55pm) tells the story of the author and illustrator’s formative years growing up on a farm in rural England and the life events that fired his imagination. Now, Mackesy directs the animated version of the beloved book, so settle down with the whole family for this story of an unlikely fellowship united in the search for home. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse BBC One, 4.55pmĬharlie Mackesy’s illustrated children’s book has captured the hearts of millions of readers both young and old with its simple message of friendship, kindness and conquering fear. Starring Anna Maxwell Martin and Diane Morgan, and there’s a special guest appearance by Joanna Lumley.

This series, co-written by Sharon Horgan, has raised the bar for cringe comedy, and we can guarantee that this festive special will end in madness, mayhem and mistletoe mishaps. Kevin Courtney Motherland: Last Christmas BBC One, 9.30pmĬhristmas is a stressful time for many, but you don’t know stress until you’ve seen the mummies of Motherland muddle through their most chaotic one yet. Eight celebs from past series have been handpicked to rise to the Christmas dinner challenge, including Happy Mondays legend Bez, athlete Iwan Thomas, pop star Josh Cuthbert and opera superstar Lesley Garrett. There is one consolation, though: not all these celebrity chefs are as good in the kitchen as they’re cracked up to be, so chances are someone is going to have a culinary nightmare before Christmas. Just what we want to see at Christmas to make us feel inadequate: a bunch of masterchefs magicking up the ultimate festive feast to put our paltry poultry efforts in the shade. Friday, December 23rd Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook-Off BBC One, 8pm

Movies to watch over christmas