John Bruton summed it up. "Ye always throw a great party," he said to some passing party people, the famous laugh echoing round the State apartments. It was the new President's last engagement of the day and she arrived at Dublin Castle at 16 minutes past seven wearing her party outfit. The place was heaving and the Castle authorities had already designated an overspill room for those who arrived late.
Bertie Ahern, the host at the State reception, looked as if his smile might topple him over as he greeted Mrs McAleese for at least the second time.
The children who had lined the courtyard for her first arrival were long since gone. Inside, her own children, Emma (15) and twins, Justin and Sara-mai (12), were wearing their best outfits. Gone were the tracksuits and trainers they wore with their mother on her campaign trail. Martin McAleese looked his usual dapper self.
Shortly after 8.30 p.m., a man who had recently made a higher-profile exit from Dublin Castle slipped quietly out to his State car. Former Taoiseach Charles Haughey agreed that he had spotted the new President's potential at a "woman's conference way back".
Gerry Adams had come and gone, the Castle authorities said, although most people had not noticed him there. John Hume stayed a little longer.
More than 2,000 other movers and shakers filled all the rooms in the State apartments. It was a night for Government Ministers to do a little gushing. "She's going to be a wonderful President," Mary O'Rourke said. "She's a person of substance," observed Seamus Brennan.
Earlier at Aras an Uachtarain, the new President relit Mary Robinson's favourite symbol - the lamp in the window. It may be a seven-year-old idea but at least it was a new lamp - commissioned by the President, as the last incumbent had taken hers away.
Press reporters were not allowed inside, and were told by Aras staff not to approach the guests, although one of the President's media advisers made it clear that special arrangements had been made for RTE.
"There's presidential hugs in there," the President's brother, Mr Damian Leneghan, said. "It's been a lovely day. It's not as mysterious as expected."
He and his brother, Clement, agreed it had been less stuffy than expected, apart from the necessary pomp and ceremony.
As the gathering of friends, family and campaigners spilled onto the steps to watch the fireworks display, it had all the appearance of a family snap after a big wedding. They oohed and aahed and gave three cheers at the end of the 10-minute display, which threw Brian Dobson off his stride as he tried to report live for the Six-One news.
Later, at the Castle, the blushing bride got into her silver and grey velvet going-away outfit and was waved off for the second time, on her way to the seven-year honeymoon.
