The return of bullish sentiment in recent days continued today with leading equity markets posting gains.
The ISEQ put on 24 points to 5,857 after a strong showing from financial stocks.
Bumper results yesterday from Anglo Irish Bank, which one broker described as "extraordinary", and another round of merger speculation powered Irish financial shares today.
Anglo gained 19 cents to euro 3.90 and Bank of Ireland touched new highs before closing at euro 10.96. AIB gained 16 cents to euro 12.51.
Technology shares continued to make steady gains as investors returned to the market. Iona added euro 1.51 to euro 44.50.
Eircom slid back today after Vodafone announced a £3 billion share placing to find the acquisition of BT overseas assets. Eircom closed at euro 2.58, down 9 cents.
Positive sentiment in London was overshadowed by the Vodafone placing, dealers said. Volume was a massive 2.7 billion in 137,987 transactions. Vodafone alone contributed 632 million shares to the turnover.