It marks the official start of Christmas on Barrack Street.

The annual Tom Barry’s Christmas Carols evening will take place today, Friday, December 21st, transforming one of Cork’s most beloved beer gardens into a scene straight from a vintage Christmas card.

A word of advice: if you want to soak up the atmosphere, wrap up warm.

There’s be steaming mugs of hot apple cider and warm mince pies outdoors in the candle-lit garden (a full bar too, in case the festive brew doesn’t appeal) as everyone gathers ’round to hear Christmas carols sung by The Cork Chamber Choir.

Gorgeous.

Afterwards you can sink your teeth into a slice of hot pizza from their pizza oven or order a meat and cheese board and settle down by the roaring fire with a pint or a hot toddy – bliss.

All proceeds from the event go to Pieta House, so did deep and give what you can.