While most of the newsprint-bound regionals were unavailable in Dublin newsagents for logistical reasons, the Longford Leader, the Nationalist and Leinster Times (Carlow) and the Kilkenny People had their last editions of the century on the Web for all the world to read.
Newspapermen with their hands blackened by newsprint could not have imagined it 100 years ago.
Suitably, the "front page" of the Longford Leader's online edition boasted advertisements for dozens of jobs "at the heart of I/T and E-business", such as an information technology manager, senior engineer architect, call centre managers, technical training instructors and systems analysts.
The Longford Leader's editorial stated that "the recent momentous arrival of the Internet and worldwide Web is a further indication that technology in all its aspects will be the dominant theme of life in the 21st century.
"We in the midlands and Ireland in general can still look forward with enthusiasm to the new century. Putting it bluntly, it could hardly be worse than the last two."
The Leader nostalgically also quoted and reiterated the sentiments of its final editorial of 1899, which concluded with the following words: "As a nation Ireland has long suffered from the results of division. We believe the future holds great things in store for our poor country if we are but self-reliant, united and kindly to each other.
"In this spirit, therefore, and in the earnest hope that the new century will bring to all our readers, friends and countrymen an era of happiness and prosperity, we cordially wish one and all a bright, happy and prosperous New Year."
Such optimism was lacking recently. The Gorey Guardian saw the Irish as a cynical people who believed their government to be corrupt, while the Mayo News said that chicanery and greed were the constant partners of economic advance.
It also asked whether we have the capacity - or the heart - to welcome asylum-seekers.
The Fingal Independent commented that "attitudes to asylum-seekers is the easiest sign to read that a chink is forming in the traditional welcoming nature of Irish people . . . let's hope with the dawn of the new millennium, the curtain is not drawing on a darker side of the country in which we live".
On the same subject, the Nationalist and Leinster Times of Carlow stated that "recently there have been signs that racism is raising its ugly head, refugees being sneered at, spoken of in derogatory terms, and in some cases being beaten by a few thugs who no doubt would not raise a hand unless they roamed in packs.
"These [refugees] have so much to offer our country. There was little integration amongst the Irish over generations. We tended to keep our fair hair and pale skin look. The coming of refugees is a nice interruption from our own spoken dialect and general demeanour.
"Their dress brightens up the Dublin streets, not to mention dark days, their beautiful skin colourings complementing the Irish red hair and freckle brigade and, of course, their choice of food. . . Surely their colourful lifestyles are assets if we bother to learn and educate ourselves?
"I know we are a small country by comparison to other countries, and I'm also aware that we have never experienced this problem before on such a large scale, but it is now time we got our act together and be prepared to take in our fair share of displaced people.
"Respect, enjoy and welcome all nationalities, they can enrich each of us. Let the `Celtic Tiger' steam ahead - and avail of the good things in life, enjoy the gravy train, but do remember there is always room to pick up a few more along the way without the train becoming overloaded," the newspaper urged.
The "overloaded, overworked and under-staffed" Probation Service was deplored by Judge Mary Martin at Castlecomer Court, said the Kilkenny People.
She said she could not run her court properly in the current circumstances and that people were being denied their constitutional rights.
Calling on the legal profession to make representations to the Minister for Justice, she said probation officers provided a wonderful service to the courts but she was very concerned about the current situation.
"I'm very anxious. People on probation bonds are not being supervised and they are reoffending. I used to get 80 probation reports a month in Carlow. Now I am to get only 10. How am I going to decide on which 10? I cannot run a court like that."