PRESIDENT MICHAEL D Higgins received a visit from a high profile Christmas official at the weekend.

Higgins shared this picture today of the moment he met Santa Claus on Saturday, before the jolly old man returned to the North Pole to check on the progress of his elves.

President Higgins and his wife Sabina welcomed hundreds of families to the Áras on Saturday for the official switching on of the Christmas lights.

“This is a special event, where the president and Sabina make the children feel especially welcome at Áras an Uachtaráin by transforming the house into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights, reindeer toys, snowy teddy bears and a special appearance by Santa,” the Áras said.

It is understood Claus confirmed to the president that all of the little girls and boys in Ireland had made it onto his ‘Nice’ list this year and he will be visiting every one of them.

Read: ‘Santy’ is the correct name for Santa Claus and we should all just agree this Christmas>

Read: Reindeer are shrinking: Warmer weather threatens Christmas icon>

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