There are signs that Ireland’s pubs may be set for a historic opening on Good Friday.

The two groups which represent vintners say they have held a 'very positive' meeting on the issue today with the Justice Minister.

The Licensed Vintners Association and the Vintners Federation of Ireland told Frances Fitzgerald that tourists are 'baffled and disappointed' to find Ireland's pubs are closed on Good Friday.

They've pressed the case to be allowed to open on the Friday before Easter and say it’s particularly important this year because Leinster are due to play Bath at home in Dublin that weekend, and will be even more of an issue during next years Easter rising commemorations.

A statement from the groups today said: “They made the point that prospective visitors will be making their travel plans in the coming weeks and that a decision to allow licensed trading would be a huge boon to the tourist sector and the economy as a whole.”

The vintners groups say they are hopeful of a positive response from the Minister 'in due course'.

Looking beyond this year the group have also made the point that, with regard to next year’s 1916 commemoration, “it would be ludicrous if the hospitality sector was essentially closed on such an important date while other retailers were free to trade normally.”