As part of the build up to INTERKAMA 2001 a trip for journalists was organised to the most rapidly expanding economy in Europe. With consistant growth of the last decade Ireland is undoubtedly the success story of the European Union transforming an extremely depressed economy with an unemployment rate of about 20 percent to the current postion of almost zero percent. During this trip there were tours of various facilities in Ireland including the Pfizer Pharmaceutical pharmaceutical plant in Ringaskiddy near Cork city, and a visit to the Heinekin historic Lady's Well Brewery,birthplace of Murphy's Irish stout.

Some background to this phenomenal growth and future pland for the country were outlined by the Industrial Development Authority, and journalists also learned about the SAP concept from a representative of SAP Service & Support Centre.