Full capacity crowds are set to be allowed to attend sporting venues across the country from this weekend.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced on Friday evening that Covid-19 restrictions are to be lifted for both indoor and outdoor events from 6am Saturday 22 January.
There has been a 50% or 5,000 (outdoor) or 1,000 (indoor) person limit on crowds at events in since December.
From 6am:
📏 Social distancing no longer required
🎫 No capacity limit on any events, indoor or outdoor
🍽 No early closing for hospitality; rule of 6 gone
🏡 No limits on household visits
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) January 21, 2022
The announcement will be particularly welcomed by the IRFU with the 2022 Six Nations underway in a fortnight.
Ireland begin their campaign against Wales at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday 5 February.
The GAA's National League competitions begin at the end of this month, meaning grounds around the country will be free to host large crowds, while the last two rounds of fixtures in the club All-Ireland's are set to be restriction-free.
The most immediate beneficiary of the announcement will be Munster Rugby.
They're free to welcome 25,600 spectators to their Heineken Champions Cup pool game against Wasps at Thomond Park on Sunday.
