Mairead Doyle-Heffernan’s Christmas: There’s no place like town

You’ve been living in London for seven years – will you be coming home to Dublin this Christmas?

One hundred per cent. I will be home for Christmas. I love Christmas Eve drinks and seeing everyone I don’t get to see so often. There’s no place like town on Christmas Eve.

What’s top of your wish list from Santa this year?

I love anything Jo Malone – I think you can never go wrong with gifting someone a candle or a soap from there.

Is your husband, actor Aaron Heffernan, an easy person to buy for?

Yes – so easy. He is truly content with anything. If I drew a Christmas tree on a napkin he would think it’s the best thing ever but I tend to go a bit further than just that. We like to gift each other fun experiences, whether that’s a holiday or a cooking course – something different is always fun.

Are you a sender of Christmas cards?

Yes, we’ve sent Christmas cards every year for the last few years and they always include our dogs. My favourite was in 2020: we recreated an image from the TV show Schitt’s Creek and it read: “It’s been a Schitt year, have a happy Christmas.”

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How does Christmas Day typically play out for you?

Me and my sisters spend Christmas together every year – it’s usually chocolate for breakfast and then Mass and then straight back into PJs and eating lots of food and watching Titanic. I make sure to see my in-laws at some point too.

Which of your fellow Selling Super Houses contestants would be the best craic at Christmas?

Bobby would bring the party, for sure.

What’s your favourite festive tipple?

We love to make Espresso Martinis after dinner. It wakes you up after the food coma.

Do you make new year resolutions?

I am that stereotype: I sit down and journal and charge my crystals, and set out my intentions – and without spending a fortune on new stationery. I love it. My new year’s resolution is to care less what people think and get back into running.

What’s on the cards for you in 2024?

I just signed with a UK-based agent and we have a few exciting things planned, as well as more episodes of my podcast, Craic On, and more comedy gigs. Watch this space.