![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/E3RTKXoWYAMixHC-1024x682.jpg\")
Ireland has taken another stride back to normality as pubs, restaurants and leisure facilities reopened.<\/p>\nIreland has taken another stride back to normality as pubs, restaurants and leisure facilities reopened.<\/p>\n
Hospitality venues can serve food and drinks outdoors, while gyms, swimming pools and leisure centers are now allowed to facilitate individual training.<\/p>\n
Beer gardens and outdoor eating areas at cafes and restaurants are set for a bumper bank holiday Monday as people spend their day off enjoying the latest relaxation of the country\u2019s Covid-19 rules.<\/p>\n
Around 4,000 pubs are reopening for outdoor service, with an estimated 25,000 bar staff returning to work.<\/p>\n
For traditional pubs in Dublin, it will be the first time they have reopened since the start of the pandemic.<\/p>\n
Cinemas and theatres can also reopen, while outdoor amusement and theme parks will also reopen to the public.<\/p>\n
Members were back working out at 3G Fitness gym in Athy, Co Kildare, on Monday morning.<\/p>\n
Darren O\u2019Brien, from the gym, said membership numbers had surged by 10 to 15 per cent every time a Covid-19 lockdown ended.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s been a huge uptake,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow everybody can get around and do stuff and get out of the house, they want to get into the gym.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr O\u2019Brien said the pandemic had brought a \u201csmall blessing in disguise\u201d in that it had made people concentrate more on their physical health.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat has happened has actually made people think about their health and fitness, which benefits us in the long run,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He said his focus was now on rebuilding the business.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been tough to say the least,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have overheads every month going out. Money was going out but not much money was coming in.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor us it was survival to get to this point and now it\u2019s about rebuilding again.\u201d<\/p>\n
In terms of domestic gatherings, an unvaccinated household can now have visitors from one other unvaccinated household inside their home.<\/p>\n
The number of people allowed to attend a wedding has increased to 25, while outdoor sports matches can also resume.<\/p>\n
The maximum number of people allowed to attend an organized outside event now stands 100.<\/p>\n
A number of pilot events with larger crowds will also take place in the coming weeks, with one of the first events taking place on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The first concert in Ireland since the pandemic will be at Iveagh Gardens, where up to 500 people will be allowed to attend.<\/p>\n
Monday\u2019s lifting of restrictions will see more than 50 per cent of Ireland\u2019s pubs reopen for outdoor service. Indoor hospitality is set to return in July.<\/p>\n
Publicans have reported strong bookings for the first day back, with many pubs fully booked out a week in advance of the bank holiday.<\/p>\n
Some pubs have reserved tables for \u201cwalks-ins\u201d to cater for customers on the day.<\/p>\n
Padraig Cribben, Vintners\u2019 Federation of Ireland (VFI) chief executive, said: \u201cThere is a strong sense of anticipation among publicans to get open and get back to what they do best.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe message from publicans to old regulars and new customers alike is \u2018we\u2019ve missed you and welcome back\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Cribben added: \u201cTo get pubs back open will be a great sign the country is returning to normal.\u201d<\/p>\n