Restrictions have eased for the first time this year, with people now able to travel between counties and have visitors in their gardens.
Non-essential retail can offer click and collect or shopping by appointment, with some shoppers up since 7 am this morning to visit shops like Penneys.
Shoppers in Waterford after their appointment in Penneys this morning
Religious services, as well as museums, galleries and libraries, have also reopened.
From today, 50 people are allowed to attend a funeral, church wedding and a church service or mass.
Fr PJ Fegan Parish Priest of Rathgormack and Clonea Power says there's still plenty of work to be done when it comes to welcoming the congregation back.
"There will be people who will be people who will be slow to come back but as the vaccine is rolled out and there's a reduction in the number of Covid-19 cases I think people will be more confident.
"I do think it will be a challenge for churches to get the congregation back but we can do things like look to the younger members of our community to get them engaged," Fr Fegan said.
And of course, personal services like hairdressers and barbers are in full swing, according to Dawn O'Sullivan is the co-owner of Headcandy salon in Waterford.
"The minute it was announced that the salons would be back the phones were hoppin'
"They're so excited in there today, you'd really miss the chats with all of the clients.
"I think it's really important for them to back to us, as much as it is for us to be back to them and it's been a great day so far thank God," Dawn said.
Stephanie Kearns who co-owns the salon with Dawn found out that she was pregnant as the country shut down last March.
Today she arrived at her salon with her 5-month-old son Bobby who was born during the pandemic.
Baby Bobby Kearns who visited the salon with his Mammy, co-wner of HeadCandy Stephanie
"I found out on the 14th of March that I was pregnant and I couldn't believe it considering we were going into a lockdown and all of the girls were out when I was on maternity so they went through the whole thing with me.
"Building this salon was one of the biggest things that I've done in my life and bar getting married and having children."
"It's so exciting for myself but also for the clients. Getting your have done is one this week is one of the best things to do after months of lockdown," Stephanie said.
Collective training for adults returns today, with non-contact sessions allowed in pods of 15 or less.
One Waterford hurling legend will be making the trip to his Club for a puck around
Dan Shanahan says he can't wait to get back on the pitch in Lismore.
"Of course it's about the physical side and the skills but there's a mental health side to it as well.
"You can have a chat with parents up there after a bad day at work or college, go up and hit a ball around the field, work hard and train hard it has a great effect on you.
For me, I'm looking forward to getting back out on the field, meet the panel of players that we haven't seen in months - I just can't wait," Dan said.
Listen back to Aoife Kearns' report here:
https://www.spreaker.com/user/wlrfm/aoife-easing-of-restrictions-11-05?autoplay=1
