DUBLIN (Reuters) – Returning from an annual European trade show last month on a flight packed with successful Irish retailers, Ian Martin felt his country’s battered economy might finally be turning around.

A supplier of first aid and hygiene products to Irish companies, Martin has spent the last four years trimming costs, laying off some staff and cutting the hours of other employees.

DUBLIN, May 29 (Reuters) – Returning from an annual European
trade show last month on a flight packed with successful Irish
retailers, Ian Martin felt his country’s battered economy might
finally be turning around.

A supplier of first aid and hygiene products to Irish
companies, Martin has spent the last four years trimming costs,
laying off some staff and cutting the hours of other employees.

DUBLIN, May 17 (Reuters) – When Ireland’s jobs minister met
the heads of 20 U.S. companies on a recent trade mission, he had
what he told business leaders last week were some uncomfortable
conversations about this month’s referendum on the EU’s plans
for stricter budget rules.

From Atlanta to Chicago, Richard Bruton said the companies
he hopes will follow the likes of Pfizer and Google
in locating in Ireland had one question: what would
happen if Ireland voted “No” on May 31.

DUBLIN, May 16 (Reuters) – The damage to the rest of Europe
from Greece leaving the euro would be “somewhere between
catastrophic and Armageddon”, the chief negotiator for the body
representing private sector holders of Greek bonds said on
Wednesday.

Charles Dallara, who as head of the International Institute
of Finance (IIF) spent months in Athens negotiating the largest
ever sovereign debt restructuring, also said he had seen
evidence that more people were moving their cash out of Greece.

DUBLIN, May 16 (Reuters) – The mood of uncertainty spreading
across Europe could scupper Ireland’s plans to exit its
international bailout with a return to bond markets next year,
the country’s finance minister said.

As Irish borrowing costs rose sharply for the second day
running on fears Greece will quit the euro zone, Michael Noonan
said prospects of Ireland starting to tap longer-term market
funding again on schedule now looked less certain.

DUBLIN (Reuters) – Georgia and a combination of Scotland, Wales and Ireland declared their interest on Tuesday in hosting the European Championship in 2020, joining Turkey in the race to stage the event for the first time.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI), which previously considered a bid with their Scottish counterparts to host Euro 2008, said preliminary talks had been held between the three associations and that they would explore a joint bid in more detail over the next 18 months.

DUBLIN, May 15 (Reuters) – Georgia and a combination of
Scotland, Wales and Ireland declared their interest on Tuesday
in hosting the European Championship in 2020, joining Turkey in
the race to stage the event for the first time.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI), which previously
considered a bid with their Scottish counterparts to host Euro
2008, said preliminary talks had been held between the three
associations and that they would explore a joint bid in more
detail over the next 18 months.

DUBLIN, May 2 (Reuters) – When Giovanni Trapattoni was
appointed Ireland soccer manager in 2008, he brought one vital
ingredient – experience.

The former Italy coach, who has won 10 league titles in four
countries, took over a side reeling from their worst
qualification campaign in more than two decades, an unsuccessful
attempt to reach Euro 2008 that included a humiliating 5-2 loss
to Cyprus.

DUBLIN, May 2 (Reuters) – Ireland’s chances of Euro 2012
success will hinge on whether they can penetrate, and not simply
frustrate, their more illustrious group opponents.

Up against three of the world’s top 12 sides, Giovanni
Trapattoni’s resolute and hardworking charges, drawn mainly from
the English Premier League’s less-fashionable clubs, will be
favourites to prop up Group C.

DUBLIN (Reuters) – Ireland’s government debt will peak a percentage point higher than previously expected next year after Dublin cut its growth forecasts for 2012 on Friday and also trimmed its outlook for next year.

Dublin’s success in cutting the largest budget deficit in Europe and shrinking its banks have distinguished it from fellow euro bailout recipients Greece and Portugal but it desperately needs consistent growth to eat into a debt pile now set to peak at 120.3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) next year.