The streets of Cork city centre are bustling with Christmas shoppers.
It is like the relaxation of restrictions was being celebrated there: a collective release of the pent-up stresses of weeks in lockdown; a toast to a better Christmas than that which looked likely even a month ago.
Ciara Stack, a student in Cork from Templeglantine in Co Limerick, was enjoying the atmosphere on Patrick Street with her younger sister Amy.
Today was the first day in weeks that Ciara was able to travel home and collect Amy for some Christmas shopping in the city.
"It's great that we could meet today, because I have been down here in Cork in college," said Ciara.
"It's nice to see a buzz around the place and everyone is wearing masks, so you do feel safe."
Now that restrictions on inter-county movement have been relaxed, Ciara is planning to spend Christmas with her family in Co Limerick. But any visits to her grandparents will have to be window visits.
"We haven't been able to give our grandparents hugs since February or March, and it's tough," Ciara says.
"But we know it's for a good reason. We know we have to keep them safe, so we are doing whatever we can."
Ciara is currently studying nursing in Cork. She doesn't want to see hospitals overwhelmed with Covid patients in the New Year and says she would support the re-introduction of restrictions, if that was required.
"Again, it's for a reason; it has to be done," Ciara says.
"Once it keeps us safe, our families safe, I don't mind because, once we are all here this time next year - that's the main thing."
Ryan Callan and his nine-month-old son Josh, from Summerhill in Co Meath, hopped on a train in Dublin this morning to travel to Cork.
They're spending the weekend with Ryan's partner Emma's parents, who they haven't seen since restrictions were imposed.
"It's fantastic, because you can see the positivity in people," says Ryan.
"I just want people to be positive and enjoy this next week or two weeks of Christmas."
Ryan said the last tranche of restrictions were difficult. Living in Co Meath, he was unable to visit his mother, who lives in Dublin city centre, or Emma's parents who live in Cork.
He understands that restrictions may be re-imposed in the days after Christmas in order to curb rising case numbers, but he wants to enjoy the freedom now.
"Let's think about the positives for the next two weeks and see where the cards fall then," he says.
"Let's put a smile on people's faces and enjoy Christmas."
Paula Hayes and her daughter Julie from Cobh in Co Cork were enjoying a day's shopping in Cork too.
Paula is looking forward to her son, who is in Kerry, and his girlfriend, who's from Co Tipperary, spending Christmas with her.
She welcomes today's relaxation of restrictions.
"I think everybody should be with family at Christmas," Paula says.
"What they have to remember is people's mental health. There are a lot of people who need their families at Christmas, so I am thrilled."
