Their presence is being felt in all sectors as they frequent the most expensive restaurants, charter the most exclusive yachts and play the most expensive rounds of golf. At the wine counter, they are ensuring that quality wines are becoming the tipple of choice. James O'Connor of Greenacres Wine Merchants notes the runaway interest in high quality wines. "We have sold more wine 'en primeur' in the past four weeks than we have in the previous four years, " he says.

When it comes to arriving in style, the number of private helicopters registered has almost tripled since 2000 and Irish Helicopters report a huge increase in demand. "More and more people are choosing to skip traffic jams and arrive in time and in style. Helicopters are no longer an unusual acquisition, " said a company spokesman.

So while the rest of us suspend our splurging until the SSIA has matured, here's a look at the extravagant treats that are making Ireland's growing ranks of millionaires flash their gold cards.

1. Luxury cars Demand for fancy motors at the top end of the market has been climbing by 15-20% every year for the past four years, according to Trevor Musgrave of Dublin's Des Cullen motors.

This year, the Ferrari 430 . . . a snip at 300,000 . . . is the most sought-after car, with a three-year waiting list. Demand also continues for the Maybach, which costs 650,000. Property tycoon Johnny Ronan is a fan, as well as singer Enya.

Louis Walsh is also a sports-car fan and drives a Bentley worth over 300,000.

2. Eating out For your starter, head to Shanahan's on the Green, in Dublin, for the Beluga Caviar at 145. Try a main course at the K Club where the fillet of Irish beef with seared foie gras and perigeaux sauce will cost you 56. And if you have room for dessert, Patrick Guilbaud's in Dublin offers five samples of different types of chocolate on the same plate for 25. Or if you decide to stay in, The El Bulli Cookbook, for sale at Harvey Nichols in Dundrum for 185, will give you recipe ideas from the exclusive Spanish restaurant.

3. Beauty Who said there was no such thing as the elixir of youth? Creme de la Mer sells an anti-ageing cream called 'The Essence' for a staggering 2,100. This 45ml product is so chic that you can't buy it off Irish shelves and instead it has to be booked exclusively by appointment. Despite, or because of this, it is hugely popular and appointments can be booked through Harvey Nichols in Dundrum.

The cream must be applied with gloves and comes in a magnetised box.

4. Wine Expensive wines are easy to find and are also in high demand. Connoisseurs can expect to pay 10,000 for a case of la Romanie-Conti, depending on the vintage. Chateaux Lafite is selling en primeur for 4,000 per case or 350 per bottle, excluding shipping. Krug remains the champagne favourite at at least 100 per bottle. If you are eating out, the K Club has just added the famous Chateau Petrus 1990 Bordeaux to its menu at 7,500 a bottle. No bottles have been sold yet, but undoubtedly it will tickle millionaires' expensive tastes in no time.

5. Helicopters Why get stuck in traffic when you can rise above the fumes and arrive in style? Helicopters have become the norm for any selfrespecting well-todo, and arriving at the Galway Races from the air is the only way to go (last year there were roughly 300 landings every day of the festival). Helicopter ownership has soared here, from 50 in 2000 to 129 this year. Buyers can expect to pay 90,000 for a second-hand model and 2.5m for the latest Bell Augusta model.

6. Art Irish millionaires are willing to fork out up to 10m for a desired piece of art.

These investors are using their money to buy high-profile works of the likes of Jack B Yeats, Louis le Brocquy and Paul Henry. Ian Whyte of Whytes Irish Art Auctioneers and Valuers says, "It's usually the older, established business people who are spending huge amounts and they have bidders working for them in London or New York. Meanwhile, the younger generation of millionaires are not spending as much yet and are interested in buying pieces from more modern artists like Sean Scully."

7. Tr a v e l Tax-free shopping is attracting more and more people to Dubai where opulent hotels and luxurious surroundings prevail. The desert kingdom offers sandy beaches, endless malls and luxurious hotels for those who are not afraid to spend. "There has been a huge increase in the demand for luxury holidays and there is no limit as to what you can spend at these destinations, " says Fiona Bulger of Sunway Holidays.

Five nights bed and breakfast in the Burj Al Arab in Dubai costs 2,900. The seven-star hotel has its own private beach and spa, every suite has its own butler, and bathrooms are stocked with Hermes toiletries.

8. Jewellery Are you a fan of dazzling diamond jewellery? If so, bring 114,565 with you and head to Weir and Sons in Dublin where you can purchase, for this price, a five-carat yellow gold round diamond ring. This is Weir's own special design, as is a diamond necklace it has in store for 59,987. Both designs are popular with celebrities, wealthy property developers and all those in the "loaded" category. For watch-lovers, Weir's also offers a rare Patek Philippe platinum watch for 50,650, or a diamond and platinum Rolex for 38,000.

9. Private yachts Want to charter a luxury yacht for you and 36 friends? Try the Christina O, once owned by Aristotle Onassis. The yacht was given a 50m overhaul in 2001 and is now available to hire out to sail the Almalfi coast and anywhere else your wallet desires. The yacht has 19 state rooms, the famous Onassis suite, a Six Senses Spa and boasts three-star Michelin cuisine, from the world famous Don Alfonso Restaurant.

Expect to pay around 100,000 per day and trips are usually one to two weeks in length. In August, the south of France is the place to be and you can anchor off-shore, slightly removed from the celebrityfilled streets.

10. Golfing Though ladies are no longer forbidden, the sport of golf is still the remit of gentlemen, preferably wealthy ones. The most expensive round of golf in Ireland is 230 at the K Club, host to the 2006 Ryder Cup. Jim Mansfield's PGA National course in Palmerstown House charges 165 for a round during the summer and a round in Mount Juliet will set you back 160.

If you prefer a links, Portmarnock Golf Club charges 190 on a Saturday or 165 during the week. To avoid the midday sun, you can avail of a cheaper early-morning round (before 9am) in Druid's Glen for 110.

NOT ALL FLASH . . . RISE OF PHILANTHROPISTS NOT all of Ireland's millionaires spend their money solely on flash cars and private yachts . . . there has been an increase in the number of Irish philanthropists in recent years.

Liam O'Dwyer of Philanthopy Ireland believes that wealthy Irish people are beginning to understand and get involved in philanthropy. "With the extraordinary amount of money being generated in this country, people are becoming more aware of giving and of philanthropy. There are people who have used a lot of skills, such as planning, to make their money and now they want to use these skills to give it away and donate it too, " he said.

JP McManus is one of Ireland's best known philanthropists, though he does not publicise his donations. He has contributed well over /60m to his JP McManus Charitable Foundation and has also made donations to the University of Limerick, GAA clubs and the radiotherapy department in Limerick Hospital.

Tony O'Reilly, Dermot Desmond, Michael Smurfit, Bernard McNamara, Lochlainn Quinn and Peter Sutherland have also made donations to educational institutions such as Trinity and UCD. Stuart Kenny, former chairman of Paddy Power, transferred a quarter of his shares in the company to a charitable company and Allen McClay, founder of Northern Irish drugs company Galen, donated nearly /40m to beneficiaries including the University of Ulster.