The year 2016 is destined to go down in Irish rugby folklore thanks to a trio of momentous victories over southern hemisphere giants South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
Ireland head into 2017 on an unbelievable high, ranked in the top four in the world and full of confidence that they can mix it with the very best, the men in green becoming the first northern hemisphere team to beat all three southern powerhouses in a calendar year since England's 2003 World Cup winners.
June 11: South Africa 20-26 Ireland
There were many who felt a summer trip to the High Veldt was the last thing Ireland needed after a marathon season that included World Cup disappointment and the meek surrender of their Six Nations crown.
Predictions of an ugly tour looked set to come to fruition when CJ Stander was red-carded early in the first test at Newlands for a clumsy challenge on Springbok fly-half Pat Lambie, but that only hardened the resolve as Ireland dug in and produced a performance of rare fortitude.
Tries from Jared Payne and Conor Murray and a fine kicking display from Paddy Jackson made light of the absences of the likes of Johnny Sexton, Seán O'Brien, Peter O'Mahony and Rob Kearney to record a stunning triumph.
The victory may have lost some lustre as Ireland went on to lose the series, but a first-ever win over the Springboks in enemy territory will linger long in the memory.
November 5: Ireland 40-29 New Zealand
With one monkey off their backs, Joe Schmidt's history makers went to Chicago with few giving them much hope of ending another hoodoo with a maiden victory over the All Blacks.
New Zealand had won a record 18 successive tests, and had swept their Rugby Championship rivals aside with six bonus-point wins from six, but Schmidt masterminded the downfall of the world champions as Ireland harnessed the spirit of the curse-lifting Chicago Cubs by executing a ferocious gameplan to the letter.
An early try handed New Zealand the advantage, but Ireland roared back with first-half scores from Jordi Murphy, CJ Stander and the superb Murray to lead 25-8 at half-time.
Simon Zebo's try extended that lead to 30-8 but inevitably the All Blacks fought back, scoring three times to reduce the deficit to four and evoke memories of the heartbreaking 2013 Dublin encounter when Ireland lost at the death after holding a similar advantage.
But there was no fear in this Ireland side, nor hesitation when winning an attacking scrum late on, as Robbie Henshaw crashed over for Ireland's fifth try to end that elusive 111-year wait for victory over New Zealand.
November 26: Ireland 27-24 Australia
While victories over Australia have become more frequent in recent years, the manner of this latest triumph means it stands the equal of either of the year's other two giant victories.
Ireland were dealing with elevated expectations and fears of a hangover following a second brutally physical encounter with the All Blacks, while Sexton and O'Brien were again missing through injury.
But the hosts dominated the first half, barely giving the Wallabies a sniff as they went into half-time with a 17-7 lead through tries from Iain Henderson and Garry Ringrose, like Josh van der Flier making his first international start.
Australia surged back after the interval as injuries to Rob Kearney, Andrew Trimble and Jared Payne forced Schmidt into fielding a makeshift backline that had out-half Joey Carbery at full-back and scrum-half Kieran Marmion on the wing.
The Wallabies scored three tries to take the lead, but Ireland regrouped and regained the upper hand when Keith Earls touched down in the corner to ensure skipper Rory Best's 100th cap ended on a winning note.
