Ireland's defiance in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been making headlines around the world since the war began - and even before that thanks to the country's fishermen.
Back in January Ireland's fisherman were plunged into the middle of a geopolitical storm after Russia confirmed it would participate in "war games" off the Irish coast.
Russia was set to launch rockets off Ireland's south-west coast with four "live fire" exercises in February.
But thanks to the resistance of the West of Ireland trawlers, Russia moved the exercises in what was seen as a huge win for Ireland.
And it got the attention of Hollywood, actress Mia Farrow, commented that "nobody messes with the Irish".
"Altho my mum was born in Roscommon ( her father was Major of a battalion based there) but our people - the O’Sullivans- are from Cork and I’m particularly proud of the fishermen who forced Russia to back off. Nobody messes with the Irish," she said.
Well-known singer Stevie Van Zandt was also among the celebs who chimed in, writing: "Gotta love the Irish fishermen that made the Russians move their navy war games! We could use some of those balls."
Again in early March the country was on news channels around the world after a truck crashed through the gates of the Russian embassy in Dublin.
Lorry driver Desmond Wisley, 49, appeared in court in Dublin charged with criminal damage and dangerous driving in connection with the crash.
But headlines in Russia itself were not too impressed with this one and Irish diplomat Brian McElduff was called to Russia’s foreign ministry on Tuesday where Kremlin officials complained over a truck reversing through the gates at its embassy in Rathgar.
Russia’s state-owned news outlet Tass reported that the Russian foreign ministry issued a “strong protest in connection with an incident with a security breach” at the embassy.
Earlier this month, the Irish Mirror exclusively revealed that the Russian Embassy in Ireland is running out of fuel for heating and hot water and is complaining that numerous Irish oil companies have refused to deliver supplies.
The news reached news outlets worldwide as Ireland was again praised for its hostile dealings with the Russian embassy, with news outlets including Bloomberg in the US covering it extensively.
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