Gardai have also officially confirmed the sightings.
The first report came just after 7.30pm near a bar in Carndonagh.
Seamus Larkin, a local man in his 60s, told us: “I was outside for just a few seconds and I definitely saw Santa and at least eight reindeers in the sky.
“It all happened very quickly. It was breath-taking. I had to go back inside the pub for a quick pint to calm my nerves.”
There were also reports of a man in a white beard and red coat on the back of a sleigh near Raphoe a few minutes later – although there were conflicting reports from several other areas including Gaoth Dobhair, Ballyshannon and Donegal Town.
It’s thought people in St Johnston didn’t get a good clear sight of Santa due to cloud cover in the area at the time, but that is expected to change soon.
However Inspector Joseph of the Donegal Traffic Corps told us: “He moves very quickly in the sky. We reckon he’s just doing a dummy run before he starts visiting homes from 9pm onwards.
“We’re not sure if he’s starting on Tory Island first again this year. He might do Letterkenny and Buncrana first just to get those out of the way.”
Met Eireann says Santa has perfect conditions for this year’s sleigh ride.
“It’s around 4C, so not cold enough for snow – but it’s fairly calm so great weather for delivering presents,” said forecaster Angel Bell.
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