RTE star Ryan Tubridy is amazed by Irish people's obession with Penneys.
He told listeners on his RTE Radio One show this morning: "I was asking why is there such an obession with Penneys?
"It gives some people the gift of joy.
"Why should we dampen our door by taking away that fun?"
One listener messaged into the show saying: "I simply cannot believe the draw of Penneys, people buying multiples of cheap clothing that for the most they don't wear.
"Obviously, we've learned nothing from the pandemic."
Ryan asked listeners to explain the fascination with Penneys in just three words.
Some of the answers sent in included 'Tan, lashes, nails', 'Thanks huns, Penneys'.
Tens of thousands of people have taken advantage of a substantial easing of Covid-19 public health restrictions across the country.
Ireland took further steps back towards normality as a series of lockdown restrictions lifted on Monday.
A phased reopening of non-essential retail began, with click-and-collect services and in-store shopping by appointment allowed.
Large numbers gathered outside Penneys on Dublin's O'Connell Street on Monday, as the clothing store reopened its doors to customers by appointment.
Penneys stores will fully reopen with extended hours from Monday, May 17.
A spokesperson for Penneys added: "We will have extended hours across every store initially to help reduce queues, spread demand and give customers more time to shop safely."
The online booking system allowed appointments to be booked from 7am to 9pm.
Each appointment is valid for one person only and lasts 60 minutes, with 45 minutes for shopping time and 15 minutes for paying and leaving.
The company says safety remains their number one priority so employees and customers can return to stores with confidence, maintaining the high safety standards in place in stores over the past year.
Primark will have additional security and dedicated employee marshals on hand to help manage customer queues outside stores, as well as extensive safety measures in-store.
This includes a strict social distancing protocol, limits on the number of customers allowed in store, requiring the use of face coverings while in store, hand sanitisation stations at entrances, Perspex screens and cubicles at till points and increased in-store cleaning.
