Brought to you by The Imperial Hotel.

We weren’t sure it was even possible.

But The Imperial Hotel is making Christmas wishes come true this year, unveiling a Christmas Afternoon Tea served daily in the beautiful surroundings of Lafayette’s from 12 noon to 5pm.

The theme this year is ‘A Christmas Carol’ – a tribute to famous former Imperial Hotel guest Charles Dickens and his everlastingly popular and hopeful tale of a Christmas redemption and festive generosity.

Dickens visited Ireland in 1858 as part of a book tour. After sell-out audiences in Dublin and Belfast, he arrived in Cork and played to packed houses, staying, naturally, in The Imperial and giving a private reading of A Christmas Carol in the hotel’s Clarence Room.

A Christmas Carol Festive Afternoon Tea takes its structure from the enduring story, with three tiers inspired by Christmas past, present and future, all homemade in The Imperial’s kitchens.

Christmas past focuses on the traditional flavours of Mr Scrooge’s tea brack, Tiny Tim’s classic mince pies and old-school homemade scones with all the trimmings.

The Christmas present tier has a fresh and modern selection of Mrs Cratchit’s sandwiches and savoury bites, and the Christmas future tier features quirky mulled wine truffles and gingerbread macarons.

As we’ve come to expect from The Imperial’s talented pastry chefs, the level of detail is extraordinary. There’s even a teeny, tiny chocolate and chestnut mousse book on a sable pastry (vegan and gluten-free).

A little winter wonderland in the heart of the city, the magical lobby is lit by twinkling lights, the famous Nutcracker Ballerina takes up her position by the Christmas tree and The Imperial Express train beetles around its track featuring mini gingerbread replicas of iconic Cork city locations — a perfectly seasonal setting to enjoy a leisurely catch-up with your nearest and dearest after a very challenging year.

Afternoon Tea is available until January 6th, 2021 making it the perfect way to celebrate Nollaig na mBan/Little Women’s Christmas too (book in now for January and you’ll enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbles).

A Christmas Carol Festive Afternoon Tea in The Imperial is available to book now at €29 per person, or €36 with a glass of bubbles. You can reserve your table now here.

It’s also available, beautifully packaged in The Imperial Hotel’s glamourous boxes, to enjoy at home with a takeaway option on offer throughout December.