THE market was pretty featureless, drifting sideways in a lethargic mood. While there were quite a number of deals, these did not reflect activity as many were matching deals by individual funds, dealers said.

The market was not given any direction either by outside forces or domestic bonds. The market appears to have moved into summer trading, according to one dealer.

AIB was 3p firmer at 333p. Bank of Ireland followed that trend with a 2p gain to 430p. Anglo Irish Bancorp, in a connected party deal, was unchanged at 62p.

CRH was 1p weaker at 630p but DCC was a penny firmer at 275p.

Despite the decision of Bernard Somers to sell more of his holding in Adare last week, the shares continue to move ahead. In two deals, they moved up by 12/p to 4671/p. The gain in the last two days amounts to 22 1/2p.

Ahead of its results on Thursday, Jurys gained 5p to 275p but, in an after-hours deal, fell back to 270p. The hotel sector is one of the "in" sectors at the moment with an influx of tourists. The complaints by Conor McCarthy chairman of Ryan Hotels, that Dublin is becoming a venue for "stag weekends" has not hurt sentiment.

He has said that Ireland would be better served by chasing the quality tourism product rather than chasing volume. "Stag week ends" are a business which Ireland's booming tourism industry can do without, according to Mr McCarthy.

FBD was 4p weaker at 211p. IAWS which looks set to gain by winning the Mars franchise from Crean put on 2p to 163p. Crean, which will lose more than £1 million in operating profit by losing the franchise, was unchanged at 250p.

Kerry lost 10p to 640p. Irish Life fell 6p to 242p but recovered to 244 1/2p in an after-hours deal.