Although Ireland lost by 85 runs to England on May 7 this year, it set the seal on a decade of rapid development which began when they beat Pakistan on St Patrick’s Day at the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

Since then "Ireland has attained an international status few would have thought possible", according to Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom.

That culminated last week when, along with Afghanistan, Ireland was awarded Test status by the International Cricket Council (ICC). 

The countries are the first new additions to cricket's top table since Bangladesh were given the right to play Test matches in 2000.

Becoming an "enhanced member" of the ICC was always central to Ireland's cricket planning.

But cricket's international governing body had always granted its favours sparingly. 

Founded in 1909 by Australia, South Africa and England, the ICC had granted Test status to only seven more teams in over a century. 

Ireland had been among those considered associate members although in the ICC's ODI structure they have been part of the elite 12 nation group since 2015. 

They will, however, still have to take part in a qualifying tournament for the 2019 World Cup in England.

Having been successful in their quest for Test cricket, they are now the oldest of the "new" boys for cricket was first established in Ireland back in the late 18th century.

The Honourable Charles Lennox, the Duke of Richmond, was instrumental in the development of the Lord's Cricket Ground and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in London in 1787. He carried his enthusiasm to Ireland when he became Governor.

The game grew quickly in the 19th century and that development was mirrored in Ireland. In the 1850s, some of the biggest teams were regular visitors including an All England XI raised by George Parr which would challenge teams comprising of 18 or 22 locals. The fashionable "wandering club" I Zingari - which took its name from the Italian for gypsies - were regular participants in what were described in Dublin circles as "grand cricket weeks".

As Governor General, the Earl of Carlisle was an enthusiastic cricket fan. He made sure there would be a full social programme to welcome his visitors to the residency where a cricket field had been laid out.

The night before one match "dancing was kept up till about five o'clock". Barely six hours later, the players took to the field.

Irish cricket, like its English counterpart, was socially exclusive in the mid-19th century. There were distinctions between amateurs - gentlemen - and professionals - players.

The gentleman of Ireland played at Lord's for the first time in 1858 against the MCC. Technically they were the first overseas team ever to grace the home of cricket. The weather was poor and reports state that the match was "played in thick mud". This did not affect Ireland's gents who won by an innings.

The team included R.A Fitzgerald, known to his friends as Bob who was later appointed MCC secretary.

In one match the Irish press reported how "he threw the gallery into fits of delight by his fine batting".

In 1880 the Australian team led by Billy Murdoch sailed across to Belfast to play a two innings match against an Irish team of 18. The match caused great interest and Australia won.

American, Canadian, South African and Indian teams also made stop-overs in Ireland en-route to England.

The political scene in Ireland was changing but even Charles Parnell, a revered leader of the Home Rule for Ireland campaign, picked up a cricket bat. A quest for greater independence on the playing field had a much bigger impact on cricket.

In 1884, a message was sent to clubs and athletes. "You are earnestly requested to attend a meeting to take steps for the formation of an association for the preservation and cultivation of our national past-times," it read.

The Cork Examiner newspaper described how Mr Maurice Davin of Carrick on Sur told the gathering "that many of the good old Irish games had been allowed to die out in the country, which he and many others would like to see revived". 

The result was the foundation of The Gaelic Athletic Association to promote such sports as hurling and Gaelic football.

From the 1890s they began to play on a Dublin ground eventually known as Croke Park. The GAA introduced a law that "any member of the association who plays or encourages in any way rugby, football, hockey or any imported game which is calculated or injuriously affects our national past-times is suspended from the association". 

Known as Rule 27 it lasted until the 1970s. Even those who watched were said to risk a ban.

It was little surprise that cricket declined in importance, although an Irish Cricket Union - now known as Cricket Ireland - was founded in 1923. Major touring teams continued to stop over. In 1938, local papers proudly announced that six of the Australian team had Irish ancestry and that Bill O'Reilly, their great spin bowler, intended to locate some long-lost relatives.

There was disappointment that legendary captain Don Bradman was absent through injury. Even so, the locals still paid £400 ($510/€454) between them to watch, no mean sum in the late 1930s. Without Bradman, Australia were dismissed cheaply but they still won the match in comfortable fashion. Ireland's cricketers earned admiration from their guests.

"I don't usually comment but their game was quite sound," said Australian team manager Bill Jeanes.

Another visit by a touring team is still talked about to this day. It happened in 1969, at Sion Mills. This was "one of cricket's remotest outposts". 

"They have gone to endless trouble to ensure the success of the fixture," said the local papers.

The match was even televised. Ireland's opponents were the West Indies who were sensationally bowled out for 25. "It wasn't cricket, it was a massacre, and wonderful to behold," gasped The Irish Times. 

"Unbelievable, unthinkable, impossible yet incredibly true."

The Wisden Cricketers' Almanack agreed.

"In some ways this one day match provided the sensation of the 1969 season," said the definitive record annual of cricket. Even they could not resist adding the detail of "a definitely emerald green pitch".

This amazing result should have been the launchpad for a revival but in fact it was the last time Ireland enjoyed success against a top international team until the new millennium.

To try and raise standards, they even took part in England's domestic limited overs knock-out competition from 1980.

They found it hard going with only rare victories against first class counties to show for their efforts. Once they even lost to Berkshire, a minor county team made up of enthusiastic part-time players.

It was not until the new millennium that matters took a turn for the better.

As is the case in rugby union, the cricket team is drawn from all Ireland. They play under the banner of Cricket Ireland rather than a national flag.

In 2003 Ireland beat Zimbabwe and in 2007, they qualified for the ICC World Cup for the first time. This feat achieved the ultimate accolade. They were now the talk of Dublin's taxi drivers.

"Until recently, none of them had heard of the Ireland cricket team but now I frequently get asked about our chances," said team coach Adi Birrell.

Their first match of the tournament, against Zimbabwe, finished in a dramatic tie. Then came that stunning victory against Pakistan on March 17 in Kingston, Jamaica. It ensured qualification for the super eight stages where they also beat Bangladesh.

"The 2007 World Cup changed everything," insisted Deutrom. This time it was not a false dawn. Wisden even featured an article on captain Trent Johnston and his "funky chicken" celebrations. The video went viral on social media.

Ireland enjoyed success in the four-day Intercontinental Cup competition for associate nations and West Indies batsman Phil Simmons became their coach.

The Irish made it to India for the 2011 World Cup. On one never to be forgotten night in Bangalore, they defeated England thanks to a remarkable performance from Kevin O'Brien who struck a hundred in only 50 balls.

"Their supreme effort will lift the spirits of every single Irish person, no matter where they are in the world," said Enda Kenny, soon to take office as Ireland's Taoiseach.

In 2015 came a third consecutive appearance at the World Cup. Their victory against the West Indies was no longer greeted with surprise. Although they won three matches, they were edged out of the next phase on run-rate.

Cricket Ireland's "strategic pillars" plan aims to encourage as many as 50,000 to take up the game and cement its place as the fourth most popular sport in the country after football, rugby union and Gaelic sport. 

They are determined to have a team to be reckoned with at elite level for both men and women. Current skipper William Porterfield embodies the development programme. He has led Ireland at every level from under-13 upwards.

Yet before Ireland's admission to cricket's top table, they suffered defeats in their tri-series against Bangladesh and New Zealand. They also lost to fellow new-boys Afghanistan. 

It may be hard going at first but they will be encouraged by the exploits of Sri Lanka who were admitted in 1982. 

They rapidly became a real force in cricket.

Nick Butler is away and will be back next week.