
Christmas comes early as Dublin Zoo make Wild Lights announcement
This year, the adults are stepping aside and allowing the children to take over and plan an unforgettable Christmas experience complete with plenty of surprises and more magic than ever.
The little ones have been pictures armed with clipboards, giant pencils and their huge imaginations but aren't giving anything away just yet. Gray Harte (5), one of the tiny experts at Dublin Zoo, who have announced that Wild Lights will go on sale tomorrow, Thursday, 12th June. Pic: Dublin Zoo
Tickets for the festive event go on sale tomorrow, Thursday, June 12 via Dublin Zoo.
As well as getting ahead of the crowds and securing your tickets now, Dublin Zoo have released brand new 'Winter Bundles,' for the first time ever.
Dublin Zoo said: 'Whether visitors want to combine a Wild Lights evening visit with a trip to Santa's Grotto, or pair a day-time weekend Dublin Zoo experience with a visit to the man in red, there is a bundle to delight every visitor.' Pictured are Kate Cosgrove (4) and Gray Harte (5). Pic: Dublin Zoo
Winter bundle including a daytime visit to Dublin Zoo and a visit to Santa's Grotto will only be available from November 8 to December 21.
Additionally, the beloved zoo has extended the exciting event until January 31, and will be open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night of the month.
Daytime events include Zoo-liday Cheer with Santa and Sensory Friendly Zoo-liday cheer while Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo and Glow Ho-Ho! take place after dark!
Ticket prices for Wild Lights range from €21.50 per child and €26.50 per adult with winter bundles including a visit to Santa's Grotto starting from €31.50 per child and €25.50 per adult.
Discounted tickets are available for infants under 1 year, senior citizens and carers. For full details on pricing go here.
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The Irish Sun
11 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I bought my own Build-A-Bear machine on Amazon – it cost less than one visit to the shop and you can make multiple toys
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The Irish Sun
16 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
The diet traps and 6 other common ‘triggers' that make my ADHD worse – plus the expert tips that help me cope
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Advertisement I can be laser focused and juggle a massive number of tasks, or faced with full laundry baskets and life admin to do I'll disappear down a wormhole of Instagram reels. I'm in my element catering for 15 or more at Christmas yet the thought of a quiet afternoon with nothing on my list brings me out in the sweats. Being told I had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder at age 46 only semi surprised me. I have the inattentive hyperactive - or combined type. As a woman in her 40s, I'm in the biggest diagnostic age category in the UK right now. Advertisement I'm also in the top six per cent of fidgeters in the country apparently, according to a computer screening tool and I'm not sure whether that's something to brag about or be ashamed of. Strictly and OnlyFans star John Whaite opens up on health struggle, saying 'it makes life almost unbearable' I'm not alone in my middle aged diagnosis though; Jessie J, 37, spoke about Since my diagnosis, I've done plenty of research. And while I don't want to take medication for it at the moment, it's all still pretty new to me, I've learned there are certain triggers where my neurodivergence looms large. They're not new to me as feelings but the cause of them is. 9 Lily Allen, 40, had to 'completely switch off social media' after her diagnosis Credit: Getty Advertisement 9 Jessie J says motherhood 'exposed' her ADHD, and she now considers it her 'superpower' Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Dr Paul Wallang is a consultant psychiatrist and healthcare director at He says ADHD is often misunderstood and triggers can make the condition much more visible. 'ADHD is a complex neurodevelopmental condition,' he tells Sun Health. 'In many cases, medication is a key part of treatment and therapy can help unpack the emotional fallout of years of struggling. Advertisement 'It's not about 'fixing' someone – it's about supporting focus, emotional balance and quality of life.' 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I joke that my sleep tracker is gaslighting me because it always tells me my sleep was too short to be effective. I struggle to quieten my mind when my head hits the pillow and when I wake early or in the middle of the night with a It's never anything important, it simply won't shut down and I toss and turn because of it. Advertisement 9 Many people with ADHD describe battling lots of 'background noise' Credit: Getty Images - Getty 9 Clare often struggles to sleep because of her 'racing mind' Credit: Clare O'Reilly Dr Wallang says: 'Sleep is fundamental for cognitive functions like attention, memory and emotional regulation – the very areas ADHD disrupts. 'Poor sleep magnifies inattention, impulsivity and mood swings, creating a vicious cycle. 'People with ADHD often have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up feeling rested, which worsens symptoms. Advertisement 'While good sleep hygiene is helpful, including consistent routines, reduced screen time and avoiding late caffeine, it's not always enough. 'In such cases, tailored strategies like relaxation techniques, CBT for insomnia or reviewing medication timing may be more effective.' 2. DIET TRAPS I EAT plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and little to no If I break the seal on cheese, crisps or chocolate, I'll finish it all, which is why I try to stay away from it. I have the occasional wine, but I do experience food crashes, and I struggle with being 'hangry' when I'm really hungry. Advertisement My emotional regulation seems better when I have a full belly and I've noticed I can't problem solve as well if I'm hungry. The rise in ADHD in women in their 30s and 40s MOST women with ADHD don't get diagnosed until their late 30s or early 40s, according to WedMD. And the numbers are rising. Between 2020 and 2022, ADHD diagnoses nearly doubled in women aged 30 to 49. 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DOOMSCROLLING I CAN be found falling into a real worm hole on even my busiest days with a big 'to-do' list being ignored. My screen time goes up when I'm busy and down when I'm quiet, which I don't quite understand either. Advertisement Dr Wallang says: 'Dopamine is a key player in ADHD – and social media delivers constant, rapid hits of it. 'This can lead to compulsive scrolling, difficulty sustaining focus and worsened self-esteem through comparison. 'It's these quick dopamine hits which make social media especially appealing during busy or stressful times. 'Excessive screen time may add to mental overload though, so replacing digital input with healthier dopamine sources – like movement, creativity or face-to-face connection – supports better emotional balance.' 5. TIMES OF LIFE I'M of an age where Advertisement While I never know when my time of the month is coming, my partner always gets a sense of it because of a mood shift. 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I hate being told what to do and I thrive without routine more than with it. That said, I have three children and three dogs, so routine is inherently part of my day! The 9 'hidden' signs of ADHD in adults ADHD has long been associated with naughty schoolkids who cannot sit still in class. And that is part of it. Fidgeting, daydreaming and getting easily distracted are all symptoms of the behavioural condition, which is why it is often spotted in children. However, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is far more complex than simply having trouble focusing. Henry Shelford, CEO and co-founder of ADHD UK, says: 'If it isn't debilitating, it isn't ADHD.' In recent years, social media has given rise to trends which conflate specific personality traits or single behaviours with ADHD. You might be thinking, 'I'm always losing my keys, forgetting birthdays and I can never concentrate at work — I must have ADHD'. But it's not as simple as that. Though these may all point to the condition, Dr Elena Touroni, a consultant psychologist and co-founder of The Chelsea Psychology Clinic, says: 'The key distinction lies in how much a behaviour impacts a person's daily life. 'Genuine ADHD symptoms affect multiple areas of life - work, relationships and emotional wellbeing - whereas personality traits are typically context-dependent and less disruptive.' ADHD UK's Henry, who has the condition himself, adds: 'Having ADHD is hard. One in ten men with ADHD and one in four women with ADHD will at some point try to take their own lives.' So how can ADHD manifest in someone's life? While hyperactivity is a common indicator, here are nine other subtle signs: Time blindness - losing track of time, underestimating how long tasks will take, regularly being late or excessively early Lack of organisation - a messy home, frequently misplacing items, forgetting deadlines Hyperfocus - becoming deeply engrossed in activities for hours Procrastination - feeling overwhelmed by to-do lists and struggling to determine what needs your attention first so focusing on less important tasks Heightened emotions - emotional struggles can manifest in angry outbursts, feeling flooded with joy or shutting down because you feel too much at once Being a 'yes man' - agreeing to new projects at work or dinner dates with friends when you're already busy (a desire to please) Impatience - interrupting people mid-conversation, finding it painful to stand in a queue, being overly-chatty Restlessness - tapping, pacing, fidgeting or feeling restless on the inside Easily distracted - by external things, like noises, or internal things like thoughts Dr Wallang says: 'People with ADHD often thrive on structure, even if they resist it. 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Dr Wallang says: 'Self-criticism, shame and a belief that you're 'lazy' or 'not good enough' are sadly common in adults with ADHD – especially those diagnosed later in life. 'This kind of thinking triggers stress responses and avoidance, fuelling the very behaviours people want to change. 'Being kind to yourself is essential; ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, not a character flaw or failure. Advertisement 'Learning to replace blame and guilt with understanding and self-compassion can ease emotional burden.' How to get help UNFORTUNATELY, a GP cannot formally diagnose ADHD but they can refer you for a specialist assessment. Be warned, the wait can be long. Data suggests there are at least 196,000 adults on waiting lists across the UK. And a BBC investigation found in many areas it would take at least eight years to clear the backlog. For an adult to be diagnosed with ADHD, the NHS says their symptoms should have a moderate effect on different areas of their life, such as underachieving at work or having difficulties in relationships, and the person has been displaying symptoms continuously for at least six months. There must also be evidence symptoms have been present since childhood - it's thought that the condition cannot develop for the first time in adults. After a diagnosis, treatment can include psychological therapies, psychotherapy, social skills training and medication. For many, a diagnosis can be a relief, but also unravel mixed emotions and feelings of 'being different'.


The Irish Sun
20 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
It's 5 months until Christmas today & I'm only just taking my tree down – I know it's tacky but I loved living with it
WITH five months today until Christmas day, a man has revealed that he is finally taking his tree down. Back in February, Advertisement 2 A man has shared that with five months until Christmas, he has finally decided to take his tree down Credit: tiktok/@ryanruckledge 2 But Ryan Ruckledge left viewers gutted with his decision and many begged him to leave it up Credit: tiktok/@ryanruckledge But now, with just 22 Fridays until December 25th, Ryan, who Ryan gave his followers a close-up look at his stunning Christmas tree, which is decorated with large silver and pink baubles. Not only this, but unlike conventional The Blackpool-based content creator uploaded his short clip online with the caption 'My Christmas tree is FINALLY coming down,' leaving many totally stunned. Advertisement Read more Fabulous stories Standing next to his pride and joy which he has loved living with, he then said: 'My tree is coming down - I was gonna keep it up all year [but] it's gotta go.' Reflecting on the 'good times' with his tree, the influencer, who has over 210,000 followers on TikTok, added: 'We've had many good times, me and this tree. 'It got in the newspapers, someone stole a photo of the Christmas tree, uploaded it on a raffle page, tried to claim it as their own and won a prize, somebody uploaded it in South Africa as their own, but it's gotta go.' Despite many praising his tree as 'pretty,' Ryan admitted his real thoughts on it, as he continued: 'Who'd have thought this tacky tree would have got so much attention? But it's time to say goodbye.' Advertisement Most read in Fabulous As he took a sip of cider, he joked: 'It's the end of an era. Let's raise a toast.' The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ Little-known fate of Rockefeller Christmas tree as it's transformed into life-changing gift that 'stays in home forever' But social media users were gobsmacked by Ryan's decision to take his 'stunning' tree down and many eagerly urged him to leave it up. One person said: 'I'll be sad to see it go.' Advertisement We're over halfway through 2025 now, it's closer to Christmas. May as well keep it up TikTok user Another added: 'Your tree is stunning.' A third commented: 'But it's so pretty.' When should I take my Christmas tree down? Traditionally, many people take down their Christmas trees after the Twelve Days of Christmas, which end on January 5th or 6th (also known as Epiphany). This marks the arrival of the three wise men in the Nativity story. However, there's no strict rule about when to take it down. Some wait until New Year's Day or shortly after, while others prefer to take it down in the days leading up to or just after the New Year. Ultimately, it depends on your personal preference or any family traditions you might have. In some cultures, it's considered bad luck to keep the tree up after January 6th, as it's thought that leaving it up longer could prevent good fortune in the coming year. However, these are just traditions and superstitions. In reality, there's no harm in keeping the tree up longer if you enjoy it. If the tree is still in good shape and you're enjoying the holiday spirit, there's no reason to rush to take it down. At the same time, one user beamed: 'We're over halfway through 2025 now, it's closer to Christmas. May as well keep it up.' Someone else agreed: 'It is closer to Christmas than last Christmas though, so may as well keep it up surely.' Advertisement Whilst one woman sobbed: 'Nooooo might as well keep it up.' Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club