It is time. Time to unplug the machines. Time to give in to the seasonal spirit. Time to make for the door with a tin of chocolate Kimberleys, a box of finest mince pies and the turkey I won in the annual Ticket poker tournament (yeah, you guessed it, a copy of the current U2 album). The year is over and Christmas is here. Ho, ho, ho and all of that.

An extra-large thanks to all the OTR readers for another magnificent year. This blog only reaches those parts other blogs never reach becaause of you. Regardless of what I write about here – from the state of the music business to the state of hurling, from new albums to new bands, from politics to media – it is the thousands of OTR readers in every corner of the globe who make this blog really zing. I thank you most sincerely for spending another 12 months reading, commenting and snarking here on everything from the lists (such as the Best Irish Acts Right Now list in April and The Irish Times Albums of the Decade list in December) and bunfights to the regular posts like the weekly playlists, tunes of the week and assorted randomisers and re-ups.

I’m sure you will agree that 2009 was one strange year which we’re glad to have behind us. Onwards and upwards to 2010 and whatever the new decade will bring. Normal service resumes on January 4. Have a fantastic Christmas, stay safe and we’ll see you all for the next round in January. We’ll leave you with some seasonal splendour because someone has at last done a half-decent version of “Fairytale of New York”.