They could have adapted Monopoly money for all it matters. Once the crash came they were always going to get hammered, because the fundamentals were flawed.

The big difference in Ireland versus Greece was the the politicians - they actually showed some leadership. They started handing back money: salaries, pensions, state cars... Supreme Court Justices started to voluntarily return part of their salary and so on. It did not make much difference to the financials but is sent a very powerful message to the people: things must be bloody bad if politicians are handing back money! And so while people were definitely not happy, they were more willing to accept the measures that were required.

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"There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." - Nelson Mandela