The ISEQ index recovered from an indifferent day yesterday to roar ahead 57.08 points to 6,114.83 in early trading today.
The financials led the way, with only Irish Life & Permanent losing ground as it shed 1c to €13.14.
AIB was unchanged at €14.70. Anglo Irish added 22c to €17.57 and Bank of Ireland added 3c to €11.82.
Building materials group CRH was up 33c to €19.72 amid heavy trading. Also on the up was pharma giant Elan, adding 24c to €20.18.
The most heavily traded shares so far today are Bank of Ireland, Anglo Irish, AIB, CRH and Grafton.