Traders on the Irish Stock Exchange reported that volumes were generally low today, while “end of the month balancing” resulted in a number of stocks being sold.

Airline Ryanair fell sharply in the afternoon, shedding 2.97 per cent to close at €4.05.

The market’s biggest stock, international building materials giant, CRH, which accounts for around one third of the Iseq index, fell 3.38 per cent to end the day at €13.60.

In a related sector, there were more buyers around for insulation systems specialists, Kingspan, which fell 1.02 per cent to €6.885.

There was buying interest in food and ingredients group, Kerry, which ended the day 0.74 per cent ahead at €34.905.

Titanium miner, Kenmare Resources, made ground for the second day running, adding 1.25 per cent to close at 56.7 cent.

Listed bookie, Paddy Power, was one of the biggest gainers yesterday, adding 1.96 per cent to close at €52.