Massive queues formed outside IKEA today as eager shoppers returned to the furniture giant after closing its doors for nearly eight weeks.
Retailers across the country have welcomed customers once again after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar gave the green light for stores to reopen earlier than planned.
Huge crowds of people could be seen patiently queuing outside the superstore in Dublin all practicing social distancing.
Many could also be seen wearing masks.
A limited number of customers will be allowed to enter the store at any one time, and social distance wardens will help customers find their way round the new one-way system.
The reopening of the store initially caused some confusion as it was hoped IKEA would reopen during phase one of the roadmap back in May when hardware stores were given the all clear to open once again.
However the government insisted IKEA was considered a homeware store as opposed to hardware.
Elsewhere shoppers returned to the streets of Dublin city which saw a number high street stores welcome customers once again.
One of the biggest fashion retailers in Ireland, Penneys, has said punters will have to wait however to return with shops set to begin reopening on June 12.
The reopening of stores early was just one of the measures accelerated by the government in a bid to reopen the country.
From today people will be allowed to travel anywhere within their county or within a 20km radius of their home.
Groups of six people will be allowed to visit each other's houses while practicing social distancing.
Groups of up to 15 people who are not from the same household can meet outdoors for organised activities such as sporting or other events.
A phased introduction of visiting in nursing homes and residential care facilities in line with social distancing guidelines will also start from Monday 15 June.
