The emotive and atmospheric cover of this year's RTE Guide which was illustrated by award-winning Birr artist and illustrator, Shannon Bergin

Birr artist creates cover of Christmas RTE Guide for second year in a row

Geraldine Grennan

Published: Tue 9 Dec 2025, 2:34 PM

Hot on the heels of her success at this year's Irish Book Awards, where her illustration for 'Run Home, Little Fox' won the Children’s Book of the Year, Birr illustrator, Shannon Bergin has hit the headlines again by creating the cover of the annual Christmas RTE Guide.

The bumper double issue of the Christmas RTE Guide reaches almost 300,000 homes over the festive period, and the cover of this year's guide features a stunning illustration of a magical Christmas Eve scene with two children and their furry friend gazing out the window to catch a glimpse of Santa Clause and his sleigh.

This is the second year in a row that the hugely-talented Birr artist has had her work featured on the cover of the Christmas RTE Guide. Last year's cover featured an adorable festive scene in Shannon's typical art style, including a shop window brimming with toys and gifts.

Shannon Bergin (on right) is pictured with the authors of 'Run Home Little Fox' Tom McCaughren and Erica McGann, which won this year's Irish Book Awards’ Children’s Book of the Year. The young Birr artist was the award-winning illustrator for the book.

A past pupil of St Brendan’s Community School, Birr and Moate Business College where she completed her portfolio, Shannon Bergin graduated from Limerick School of Art and Design in 2018 with a BA (Hons) in Animation and Motion Design.

Since her graduation, the young Birr woman has won numerous awards for her stunning illustrations and has been shortlisted on many occasions for awards on the national stage.

Shannon describes herself as an "avid doodler and tea drinker" and her award-winning illustrations are bright, bold and colourful and evoke a sense of nostalgia. The cover art on this year's Christmas RTE Guide perfectly captures the warmth of Christmas and radiates a sense of joy and wonder.

The Christmas edition of the RTE Guide is now available in shops nationwide.

Shannon Bergin's art work can be viewed on shannonbergin.com, or follow her on Instagram and Facebook at Shannon Bergin Art.