Last night the country was rejoicing following Taoiseach Micheal Martin's announcement as he confirmed a raft of Covid-19 restrictions would be lifted.
With the country in one of the longest lockdowns across the globe the news came as a huge relief to countless people across the country as the Taoiseach outlined summer plans for lifting restrictions.
May 10 last night emerged as a key date for the beginning of the reopening with three households set to be allowed to meet up outdoors, including in your garden, and up to 50 people can attend mass or other religious services again.
A week later on May 17 will see the mass reopening of shops.
However all eyes have been on when we can all get back into the pub and enjoy a nice cold pint.
Thankfully that is set to happen earlier than a lot of people expected with some key dates confirmed last night.
Outdoor pints
You will officially be able to get a pint from a pub on June 7 as outdoor dining returns and wet pubs return.
Thankfully so-called wet pubs will not be limited to 15 customers when they reopen at the same time as other outdoor hospitality.
And the dreaded €9 meal will also no longer be in place. However, pubs will continue to operate with table service only. At present, opening hours are still to be decided.
Indoor pints
Unfortunately people are going to have to wait a little while later as it's currently hoped that pubs will be permitted to reopen for indoor service in July.
However there is some confusion around the issue with the reopening of hotels, guest houses and B&Bs going ahead from as early as June 2.
Services must be restricted to overnight guests and residents however indoor dining and possibly drinks service could go ahead from that date.
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Essentially, indoor dining and drinking is back on the menu. However, the Restaurant Association of Ireland are upset that indoor dining can not resume at regular restaurants too.
In a statement, they said: "The reaction to the Government announcement this evening from the restaurant sector is one of disbelief, confusion and frustration with regarding the Government’s decision to permit hotel and guesthouse restaurants to operate as normal for residents by offering indoor dining options from the proposed date of Thursday 2nd June whilst restricting independent restaurants, coffee shops and gastropubs to outdoor dining only from the 7th June."
The statement adds: "The decision to divide hotel restaurants and independent restaurants into two categories is an anti-competitive, inequitable decision and without medical, scientific or public health rationale."
When asked about the peculiar situation why hotel restaurants can open but other restaurants stay shut, the Taoiseach said, "there is public health advice to that effect" and the Government is happy to publish it.
