It’s been wild, hasn’t it? Extreme flooding events. The Aurora Borealis where it’s never been before. Bike shelters setting a new planning cost base. Major buzzes for the Irish women’s soccer and rugby, Euro and Olympic athletes. And Cillian Murphy. Tents along the Grand Canal and arson in the fields.

Leo leaves and Simon arrives. Keir Starmer and Donald Trump. Overspending and flagrant waste of taxpayers’ money. The appalling wars in Ukraine and Palestine. The news cycle never sleeps. Street violence, arson attacks and tent villages propelled immigration, and those seeking international protection in particular, to the headlines this year and, though less fraught at year end, the issue hasn’t gone away, you know.

As ever with Official Ireland, we’re chasing the play rather than making it, behind rather than ahead of the curve. For example, there’s what was described as an ‘unprecedented’ increase in the number of unaccompanied children seeking asylum. How does this happen?

But it also exposed our vulnerability to external ‘bad actors’. The vast majority of online protests against the proposed accommodation in Wicklow came from non-Irish accounts. And in May, it was revealed that some of those arrested for public disorder relating to anti-asylum seeker accommodation have criminal records.

The issue needs more than management, that’s for sure. Whether it also needs more money is open to debate. Money’s not a problem these days. We’ve loads of it. And Apple tax billions too. But this also needs management, big time.

That the Office of Public Works has been profligate with taxpayers’ money was revealed in gory detail. Likewise, health spending and RTE payouts came under beady scrutiny. Expect action in ‘25.

As Christmas and New Year hurtle ever closer – capping off another phenomenal 12 months of Irish music, sport, film, literature and more  – we're thrilled to present the brand new Hot Press Annual!

Inside, you'll find captivating conversations with Fontaines D.C., KNEECAP, Jazzy, LYRA, The Mary Wallopers, Gurriers, Daniel Wiffen, Irish Artists For Palestine and more – all taking us through their highlights of the year. Plus, the HP critics deliver their verdict on 2024 – including all the top albums, tracks, movies, books, quotes, photos and events...