Thousands of people are enjoying the further easing of Level 5 restrictions today with visits to the Zoo, petting farms and heritage sites.
Outdoor sports have also resumed today while under age training is back in pods of 15.
Just some of the people basking in the sunshine at the Irish National Stud and Gardens in Co Kildare:
"Oh it is a blessing, it's absolutely fantastic," a woman told us.
Adding to that she says, "it helps to have good weather, but I think even if there was thunder and lightening, we'd be delighted to have our extra freedoms."
Another woman told us, "its absolutely marvellous to be out today!"
It’s one of the attractions now back open to the public following the further easing of Level 5 restrictions.
Please remember if the carpark is full when you arrive to keep moving and return at a quieter time. Please don’t hold up traffic on Killakee Road and leave room for emergency services. @GardaTraffic @DubFireBrigade #SundayThoughts #thankyou pic.twitter.com/Iktq4Kg6Rg
— SavetheHellfire (@SavetheHellfire) April 25, 2021
The Stud usually has 140,000 visitors a year.
So it's Tourism manager David Wardell says it’s been difficult.
He says there used to be, "coach loads," of international visitors, but they're down to "fractions," of that.
However David's mentioned that the public here in Ireland, "have been really good to us."
Outdoor sports like golf and tennis have also resumed today while outdoor under age training is back in pods of 15.
Alan Dunnie is the manager of Leopardstown Golf Centre in Dublin.
"Ireland's golf courses have been closed longer than any other courses in the world effectively."
"We're very happy to be getting back open."
Last year, right after lockdown 1 we went to Fota. I playfully asked the young worker was the big glass window there to stop us from catching #covid from the Tigers
He looked me straight in the eye & said "No it's there to stop the Tigers from eating you"— The Cork Coypu (@CorkCoypu) April 26, 2021
More Details Due Later This Week
The Government will announce later this week what further restrictions will ease for May
But Ministers have been warning people not to get their hopes up too much.
It will be done cautiously and on a phased basis.
