Catching sight of deer on a bright frosty morning or a chilly wintery afternoon would have to be one of the most memorable moments of Christmas. The superintendent-incharge in Dublin's Phoenix Park, John McCullin, says the best place to look for the 650-plus fallow deer which live in the park is from the mound next to the Papal Cross car park.

"Windy days are not good because they tend to go into the woodlands for shelter. Nice calm days are the best days for spotting them. You can get within yards of them if you go gingerly," he adds.

And how do these gentle little creatures survive the winter? "Many people phone us up at this time of year, afraid that the deer will die. But they are foragers and they feast on the acorns from the oak trees. We put hay out for them as well but they don't really need it. The deer in Phoenix Park are one of the healthiest herds on these islands."

On a more sombre note, McCullin adds that the biggest problem they face is the traffic with more than 80 having been killed on the roads so far this year. So, if you do intend going to see the Phoenix Park deer by car this Christmas, make sure your escort is a careful driver.

Meanwhile, many of us have moved on from the limiting and often superficial delineations of political correctness to embrace our own, new-found standards of appropriateness. All of this to say that Dublin Zoo is back in vogue. And a spruced up, seasonally effusive zoo at that. Check out polar bears Spunky and Ootech with their very own splash pool in the new Fringes of the Arctic area. Also, don't miss the Arctic foxes and snowy owls.

Other exotic attractions include the snakes and crocodiles in the Reptile House and the old favourites, elephants, hippos and giraffes. Four to 14-year-olds can join the Christmas Club and help feed and learn about the animals from January 2nd4th. Booking essential before December 19th on Tel: 016771425.