Dublin’s leading stocks enjoyed a good run today as markets picked up generally across Europe.
The Iseq index of Irish shares closed 1.6 per cent up at 2,978.97.
The market's biggest stock, international building materials giant, CRH, gained 4.5 per cent to end the day at €15.285.
Dealers said that there was no real news driving the stock, but suggested that factors such as its strong balance sheet and exposure to the US, where there are signs of a nascent recovery, mean that it remains popular with investors.
Low-cost airline Ryanair came unstuck late in the day, dipping 1 per cent to €3.89, but it traded up at around €3.95 and €3.96 earlier, when there was strong buying interest.
International packaging group, Smurfit Kappa, was also popular with buyers gaining 3.27 per cent to close at €5.05.
DIY group and builders' merchant, Grafton, gained 4.17 per cent to finish at €2.50.
Industrial group, DCC closed 1.13 per cent down at €18.835.