With pubs and restaurants now closed in the Republic of Ireland, celebrations will be muted - with no parades, jolities or entertainment.

Also celebrated in about 50 other countries - including the USA, Australia and the UK. Largely because of Ireland's nineteenth century famine - the Irish are everywhere.

Sydney usually sees the Opera House turning green - as well as Madison Square Garden and the London Eye.

Catholic masses have been cancelled in Ireland, schools/colleges are closed - and all sporting events shut down.

Worse still, an inept health service (where often, hundreds of 'patients' are held on trolleys for days in hospital corridors - because of bed shortages) - is waiting to see what hits it!


None of this is helped by the recent General Election failing to elect a government.

Or by the country's major industry, tourism - being decimated.

Ryanair, it seems, are getting ready to mothball their entire fleet.

Ireland's main banks - Allied Irish Bank and Bank of Ireland - have seen their values fall, in recent days, by over 50%.