One time of the year seems to bring out the carnival spirit in the Irish more than any other: the seven short days between Christmas and New Years. Of course, this being Ireland, there are centuries old Irish traditions to follow too, if you want to spend your Christmas like a local, that is. Here’s Irish Central’s list of 10 Irish Christmas Traditions.

Susan Boyle isn’t dreaming a dream anymore – she’s living it. The Scottish star’s debut album “I Dreamed A Dream” has broken records, and was just named Amazon Music’s largest global CD pre-order in history.

Robert Reynolds: Susan Boyle has revealed she was beaten as a child. She told a British tabloid that she was hit with a belt every day by teachers and taunted by classmates because of her learning disability. Boyle, 48, said, "You’re looking at someone who would get the belt every day. “Will you shut up — whack!"

Buzz Brady: Susan Boyle has reportedly stepped up her security measures after being stalked by an American woman. Boyle has apparently received a number of letters from the ‘stalker’, but finally asked for extra protection when the fan turned up at her home

Sharon Osbourne has said sorry via Facebook to Susan Boyle for her nasty remarks on the Opie and Anthony Show.

This news may make his fellow “X Factor” judge, Irish music mogul Louis Walsh, jealous, but Simon Cowell is officially the highest earner on television.

The talented Susan Boyle took the American stage for the second time in her life on Monday’s episode of “Dancing with the Stars.”

Susan Boyle and Lady Gaga will go head-to-head at this year’s People’s Choice Awards.

Susan Boyle will head to Toronto to serenade her Canadian fans with a song three days after her first album, “I Dreamed a Dream, “ drops. Boyle will take to the Waterfall Stage at

Everyone’s favorite Scottish singer Susan Boyle is once again stateside, this time to perform on the hit series “Dancing with the Stars.”

After her beloved Irish mother died, Susan Boyle’s home was quiet for weeks. But eventually, the singer began to play her music again, decided to audition for “Britain’s Got Talent,” and the rest is history.

When Susan Boyle emerged on the scene, many were simply blown away by her singing ability, but some were more interested in teasing her about her looks. Now the star talks about her transformation.

The Scottish singing sensation gave her first extensive interview to Britain’s Daily Mail, revealing the details of her breakdown, and how she’s determined it won’t happen again.

What does the current commotion at Knock Shrine tell us about Ireland today? Ten thousand people gathered there last weekend form all over Ireland hoping to see the Virgin Mary appear, as she is thought to have done back in

Susan Boyle fans are sure to be shocked and disgusted by supposed SuBo supporter Sharon Osbourne. Osbourne cruelly made fun of Susan Boyle on “The Opie & Anthony Show” on Sirius XM Radio on Tuesday.

English musical theater actress Elaine Paige says Susan Boyle is just like Evita.

She might be the biggest star on earth right now but Susan Boyle knows where to head for Christmas.

The Irish Catholic shrine where 10,000 people showed up on Saturday in hopes of seeing a vision of the Virgin Mary also happens to be the spiritual home of singing sensation Susan Boyle.

More than 10,000 people were left disappointed in Ireland Saturday as the Virgin Mary failed to appear as predicted at Knock Basilica. However, the organizer claims he saw Our Lady and that she revealed a "secret" message.

WITH VIDEO: So Regis Philbin announced on Friday that Susan Boyle would be on his show, setting off a chain reaction among Susan fans who eagerly tuned in. Turned out Regis was kidding. He dressed as Susan as part of a Halloween skit.

The surprising Susan Boyle is launching her new album on the shopping network QVC on November 4, almost a full month before " "I Dreamed a Dream" hits the streets. The canny shoppping channel will also be offering a bonus DVD of rare footage of the Scottish singing sensation.

Niall O'Dowd: I get contacted about Susan Boyle Web sites all the time but rarely wish to promote them. This one in particular, however, is excellent as a reference site for anyone who needs to learn quickly about Susan Boyle or just revisit old memories.

Attention Susan Boyle fans: A new interview and samples from the amazing Scottish songstress’ tracks off her upcoming album “I Dreamed A Dream” are now available on Amazon.com.

Singing sensation Susan Boyle has been voted the Snow Queen everyone would most like to see at the theater this Christmas holiday season.

Video / Susan Boyle sings 'Wild Horses' / Click here   Niall O'Dowd column / Susan Boyle goes her own way / Click here Susan Boyle will be singing live at the

Scottish singing star Susan Boyle was the center of attention at the football team’s Thursday night match against Hamburg – though not exactly in a good way.

Niall O'Dowd: A "plain-looking spinster" is how WomansDay.com described Susan Boyle this week. Whatever happened to beauty being skin deep?

I hate to say I told you so yet again – but Susan Boyle made me do it. Amazingly, Susan Boyle just beat out Bruce Springsteen, U2, the Dixie Chicks and Coldplay over at Amazon.com.

Rumor has it that Susan Boyle has earned herself an hour-long Christmas special on British television.

Scottish superstar Susan Boyle is channelling her inner Mike Tyson and has taken up boxing to take on Amanda Holden and The Priests! At least, that's my explanation after findng out that Susan's started boxing in her hometown of Blackburn. Susan says she's laced up the boxing gloves to ease the stress and release some tension ahead of the launch of her debut album “I Dreamed a Dream” on November 24.

Here is the long-awaited cover of Susan Boyle's album "I Dreamed a Dream." The album, which features songs from Madonna "You’ll See" and her stunning cover of the Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses," doesn't even go on sale until November 24.

WITH VIDEO: Though they are arguably the most hated contestants ever in the history of British talent show “The X Factor,” the Irish “terrible twins” sure are getting plenty of attention.

Niall O'Dowd with a breakdown on the playlist for Susan Boyle's debut album, which is to be released on November 24.

Niall O'Dowd: The awful "Britain's Got Talent" judge Amanda Holden has admitted she drops Susan Boyle's name to make reservations in top restaurants in America.

Piers Morgan has revealed that Susan Boyle was extremely nervous before performing her pre-recorded live version of the Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses” on the “America’s Got Talent” final in September.

Following her massive triumph on “America’s Got Talent,” Susan Boyle has reportedly been booked to appear on Britain’s “The X Factor.”

Jon Bon Jovi is now joining the long line of stars who want to work with Susan Boyle.

Iconic rocker Mick Jagger thinks that Susan Boyle’s version of “Wild Horses” is better than the Rolling Stones original.

A trio of Irish priests is set to challenge Susan Boyle for the number one Christmas album. Known as "The Priests," Father Martin O'Hagan, his brother Father Eugene and Father David Delargy, began singing together at high school in Northern Ireland.

Tom Meighan, the lead singer of British rock band Kasabian, has said that shows like “Britain’s Got Talent” ruins lives – and that includes Susan Boyle’s.

Susan Boyle is locked in an unlikely battle with former Take That star Robbie Williams for Number 1

They saved the best for last on the finale of “America’s Got Talent” – a performance by Susan Boyle. She may not dance like Shakira, and she may not be as gorgeous as Leona Lewis, both of whom also appeared on the show, but the amazing singer doesn’t need all the glitz and glam to deliver a knockout performance.

The fan frenzy Susan Boyle was greeted with when she recently landed at the Los Angeles LAX Airport was like Beatlemania, according to the singing star.

Susan Boyle has finally landed on American shores. The artist sometimes known as SuBo made an incredibly impressive entrance at LAX airport with fans screaming and television cameras everywhere.

WITH AUDIO! Susan Boyle has surprised her millions of fans by recording the Rolling Stones classic “Wild Horses” for her debut album.

American Idol judge Simon Cowell has revealed that Susan Boyle's breakdown on his British show made him realize he has a duty to take care of his contestants. He said Boyle's breakdown was "scary" and really brought home the differences between reality shows and professional entertainers.

Susan Boyle will make her American debut on “America’s Got Talent,” the U.S. counterpart to the TV show that made her a star. The “Britain’s Got Talent” runner-up will hop across the pond on September 16 to perform on the finale of the talent show.

“Britain’s Got Talent” singing sensation Susan Boyle, 48, is the definition of an overnight star. But to her voice coach, the Irish born Fred O’Neil, 41, the formerly unemployed, unmarried singer deserves all the success that has finally come her way.

Scottish songstress Susan Boyle will cover a Madonna song on her upcoming debut album, it has been revealed.

While the entire world awaits the arrival of Susan Boyle’s first album, exactly where Boyle will debut the record is fast becoming the key question in the much anticipated maiden effort from the Scottish songstress.