The Iseq index finished virtually unchanged today at 2,886.14, as European equity markets steadied a little after a week of heavy losses.
On a day lacking in stock-specific stories, financial names found themselves out of favour after Bank of Spain stepped in at the weekend to rescue a small savings bank, CajaSur.
Bank of Ireland was the most actively traded name, with about 29 million shares changing hands in Dublin. The stock finished down almost 6 per cent at 73 cent.
AIB and Irish Life & Permanent were also weaker, each losing more than 3 per cent to finish at €1.04 and just under €2.07 respectively.
Most industrial stocks fared better on the day. Packaging giant Smurfit Kappa rose almost 4 per cent, or 23 cent, to €6.48.
Cider producer C&C added more than 1 per cent to close at almost €3.29 in advance of releasing numbers tomorrow.
Elsewhere in the food and drink industry, Kerry Group got a small lift after its UK peer Cranswick reported a strong set of results. Kerry closed up 4 cent at €21.51.
Low-cost carrier Ryanair benefited from the news that Icelandic scientists have now said their volcano is only producing steam with no ash. The stock almost touched €3.16 during the session, but came back to rest at €3.13 by the close, up 1.3 per cent or 4 cent.
Rival airline Aer Lingus also bounced more than 1 per cent, bringing it to 69 cent.
Greencore, which has figures out tomorrow, closed down 3.5 cent at €1.25, on light volume.
Of the minnow stocks, Aminex was one of the strongest performers, jumping more than 8 per cent to 10 cent.
The oil and gas exploration company announced yesterday that Korex, in which it has a 50 per cent stake, has signed a new agreement for exploration rights in the Korean East Sea.
Across Europe, Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.1 per cent, Germany's DAX fell 0.4 per cent and France's CAC 40 closed flat.
Markets in Austria, Switzerland, Greece, Denmark and Norway were closed on Monday for a public holiday.
Additional reporting Reuters