To me, and I think to many of us Irish of age, there is a piece of Christmas Telly that got its claws into the soul and is most potently transportive…

In the 80s there was a young man, having been picked up from the train by his Dad, smiles wistfully out the window at the flashing lights of the local nite-club as he’s driven home for Christmas.

His mother is busy switching on all the appliances at home, including his electric blanket, and the immersion (to bath!), in excited anticipation of his arrival…The ESB Christmas ad, featuring Dusty Springfield’s “Goin’ Back”.