Among the multitudes failing to turn up for work all last week, the most surprising absentee was Santa Claus himself. Traditionally the beginning of December is when grottos nationwide swing fully into business, but the snow has been so deep, even Santa couldn't negotiate the icy roads.

Powerscourt House and Gardens in Co Wicklow were closed for most of last week while their Santa remained snowbound in Avoca in the south of the county. But, says Rory Wilson, who has been assisting the big man for the past eight years during the busy festive period, the bad weather proved to be a proverbial ice-breaker, as new neighbours got together to help tow the sleigh out of a snowdrift.

Things were just as bad in Dublin city centre. Somewhat bizarrely, the icy temperatures forced Arnotts to close its rooftop skating rink for a couple of days. The store's valiant Santa (with genuine beard and two decades' experience) braved the Henry Street hailstorms and welcomed a respectable number of young visitors. At Brown Thomas, Jedward popped into the store's swish grotto on Thursday evening. There were unconfirmed reports that they asked Santa for a tuning fork for Christmas.

Further north, Santa's Cottage in the Mourne Mountains stayed defiantly open. One of the helpers – hoarse from carol singing to keep her spirits up – said the cottage was "snowed under" with visitors, and that the proximity of the border made this an all-Ireland destination. "We get a lot of visitors from the south of Ireland, some of whom do their shopping up north too because we are only 14 miles from Newry. Yesterday, one family braved it across from Donegal." Never mind the weather, the answer to the most frequently asked question here is, "Yes, we do take euro."

The Co Down Santa appears to be the only person in the entire country to have done any construction work in the past year. "He's recently built a new underground cottage, unlike any other in Ireland. This is a new visitors' centre with plenty of space, including a huge stone fireplace ample enough for him to squeeze down."

Another underground experience this year is the first ever Christmas market and Santa's grotto in the historic crypt of Dublin's Christ Church cathedral. "Centuries ago, markets were a regular feature in the crypt, but that custom ended when the church underwent restoration," said one of the event's co-ordinators, Lesley-Anne Carey.

The weather again hampered Santa's arrival this weekend, but the event is scheduled to run over the next two Saturdays. If hosting Santa in the basement of a 12th century church sounds odd, it's all done in the best taste, Carey said. "The crypt is the oldest structure in the city, so we haven't gone for an obvious Nordic style. But there are red berry lights. We've also put the archbishop's chair down there especially for Santa. I hope the archbishop won't be wondering where it's got to."

Back in south Wicklow, Santa plans to make it to Powerscourt today. He's seen a lot in his 850 years, although, like Dáil deputies, he said the holidays that came with his job were great. "On the other hand these days, there are so many new things to be aware of – the animal-rights people monitor me every year about the treatment of the reindeer, while the elves were negotiating during the Croke Park agreement and now have their own union. But the main worry at the minute is the weather. It's colder here than the North Pole."

Where to visit Santa Claus this month

Powerscourt House and Gardens

Co Wicklow. €8.50 per child. Lollies, treats and DVD screenings to keep the queue entertained. Open every day (weather permitting) from today until 23 December

Arigna Mining Experience

Co Roscommon. €15 per child. Includes Santa underground grotto visit, gift, face painting, storytelling and puppet show. Open every weekend, and then every day from 17 to 23 December

Santa's Cottage, Mourne Mountains

Co Down. £18 per child (includes gift and visit to Santa's igloo); £13 per adult. Elves' workshop, tour of Santa's bedroom and sweets and soft drinks in the underground visitors' centre. Open every day until 23 December

Aillwee Cave Christmas

Co Clare. €33 per child (includes gift and Santa visit); €15 per adult. Train ride to Burren Birds of Prey Centre and Christmas market, farm shop, face painting, puppet show and carnival entertainment. Open until 22 December

Clerys

Dublin. €6 per child. Photo €9. Children can also bring their Santa letters to post in the special North Pole letter box. Open every day until 3pm, Christmas Eve

Arnotts

Dublin. Visits are free for children telling Santa (who has a real beard, by the way) their wish list between now and Christmas Eve. Two pictures cost €10. There is also storytelling, balloon modelling and carol singing in the store every weekend, and a skating rink on the rooftop

Brown Thomas

Dublin. Visits to Santa's grotto on the third floor daily from 10am until 6pm, right up to and including Christmas Eve. €5 for photo with Santa (proceeds go to the ISPCC and the Christina Noble Foundation)

Christ Church cathedral

Dublin. €10 for visit to Santa (includes a gift) and photo. Entrance to Christmas market in underground crypt is free. Running on 11 and 18 December

National Botanic Gardens

Dublin 9. Admission free. One-day family event on 12 December with Santa Claus. Includes storytelling and Christmas music

The Chocolate Warehouse

Dublin 12. Re-opening 8 December. €9 including gift and cracker making. Post room for letters to North Pole. Tour of mini chocolate factory.

(opening times may change; check specific websites)