Ireland isn't alone in its strong growth – the eurozone is growing far quicker than many commentators and economists expected.
PMIs, consumer confidence and construction confidence recorded some of their strongest values in the cycle last year. Car sales and unemployment figures are also positive.
The strong momentum is continuing and even accelerating.
Europe is no longer as cheap as it was, but it does still represent good value and is one of our favoured regions this year.
The obvious elephant in the room is Brexit, but there will be winners and losers, and Europe is a big place.
Darius McDermott is managing director at FundCalibre
All fund data information sourced from the Gam Star Continental European Equity fund fact sheet, as at 31 January 2018.