FROM eschewing country and western music to giving up smoking, the Lenten pledges of Ireland's great and good are as varied as temptation itself.
While some plan to embrace self-denial and charity for the religious season of renewal and penance which starts today, others view it as just another 40 days of indulgence.
Canon law states that some form of penance should be practised during the pre-Easter Lenten period,but the actual form is not written in stone.
A spokesman for the Catholic Press and Information Office said: "People have much more choice in what they can do. It's not confined to fasting and abstinence but it is expected that they would do something during
For the writer and self-confessed bon viveur Paolo Tullio, the prospect of abstaining from any of life's luxuries is clearly anathema.
Mr Tullio, who confesses to being weak-willed, said he never gives up anything, anytime, to avoid disappointment.
Mr Tullio said he would "drink with slightly greater pleasure" during Lent, "knowing that some people around the table are eyeing me with envy".
Mr Paul Rankin, who owns the Roscoff restaurant in Belfast with his wife, Jeanne, said he didn't know exactly what Lent was, although he was of course aware that yesterday was "pancake Tuesday".
Politicians questioned about their Lenten observances yesterday were more self-sacrificing. The SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, and the Progressive Democrats' leader, Ms Mary Harney, both pledged to walk daily during Lent, while Senator David Norris said he would give up his usual 30 to 40 cigarettes a day.
Senator Norris said he may also be forced to give up drinking as he was lacking in moral fibre and had been known, following one glass of wine, to rifle handbags at parties for cigarettes.
The fashion designer, Mr John Rocha, said he doesn't normally give up things for Lent, but would stop playing country and western CDs in his Dublin studio for the sake of his colleagues.
Those still contemplating what to do for Lent will be heartened to learn that, while Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are to be observed as days of fasting and abstinence, nowhere does it say in canon law that only fish may be eaten on Fridays.
"It's no longer the case that people must not eat meat on Fridays," said the Catholic press office spokesman. "They should look at other ways to express the spirit of self-denial, like visiting the sick or doings. a good turn for somebody or going to Mass or giving up cigarettes for the day."
The choice is yours.