Retailers and businesses closed for the past five weeks have spent the weekend preparing to reopen from Tuesday. Many say the weeks between now and Christmas will be make or break for them.
In Kinsale, Co Cork, the Christmas tree in the centre of the town has already been lit and the streets have been decorated. The town was bustling this afternoon, as traders endeavoured to make up for lost time.
Romanian leather craftsman Danny Albu and his wife Dana were in their store, The Leather Studio of Kinsale, preparing to reopen on Tuesday.
The couple have been in Kinsale for over a decade. They opened their leather studio just over a year ago, but their business has suffered as a result of the two protracted enforced closures this year.