Fianna Fáil's Ardfheis theme was "Meeting the Challenge". Buoyed by the large gathering, and a rugby victory that added extra "buzz", the party faithful were eager for the election slog.
Noreen Dunne, Mornington, Donnycarney, Co Meath, is well versed in local elections. A candidate last time round, she effectively lists the requirements for a winner when she says of her experience: "I didn't push myself, I don't have the bite. I don't have a high profile and I'm not a local person, so I would have no vote from relations. I'd be good if I got in, but I'm probably not willing to go the final mile - to get into controversy."
One of the problems for Fianna Fáil is that "people are irritated by progress. Instead of saying 'it's wonderful, we're going to have Luas', they're saying 'ah, no not another road is being dug up'."
There had been an "excellent management of the economy" and the Government was making the tough decisions in areas like education. "They are taking the risks," she went on.
Sinn Féin probably will affect Fianna Fáil to a certain extent in the local elections, "but you can't run a country with a few Sinn Féin and a few Greens", Ms Dunne said.
Eilish Ryan Casey, north Cork, thinks electronic voting is a "bit of a disaster", but she's not talking about paper trails. "That's not an issue. You'll either vote or you won't." What concerns her is actually using the machine. Some people "can't even use a remote control" and older people would worry that "you could press a button and vote the wrong way".
She believes they will not go out and vote unless there is a major campaign to explain how it's done, including local demonstrations. "Older people vote. If you want to get the vote out you have to get older people voting."
Fianna Fáil's youngest local candidate in Munster, Cathal Crowe (21), Meelick, Co Clare, believes however that the paper trail is an issue. Running in Killaloe, he says "maybe there is something in the Irish psyche, that people want something in their hand". But he is confident the Minister, Mr Cullen, will address the issue satisfactorily.
Mr Crowe, who joined the party at 16, says the ardfheis is a great rallying call for party workers, but "people have to get out and canvass".
Noreen Byrne, Gorey, Co Wexford, says that while there has been a lot of debate about e-voting, it's not an issue. "Roads and planning permission" are the matters of concern in her locality.
John Egan, Thurles, Co Tipperary, is a councillor of 25 years' standing. On the controversy over local hospitals and issues like emergency cover, he says "it's not happening. We're keeping A&E cover. The Hanley report is being misinterpreted."
One of the big issues on the door in his ward is the development levy. "Fianna Fáil makes no apology for these charges," Mr Egan said. "If people are going to spend €200,000 or €300,000 on building a house, they will want services. Is the local authority not entitled to get something for the provision of those services, filling potholes, public lighting? It all goes back into community development."
Kitty Flanagan, Bailieboro, Co Cavan, sees the ardfheis as "something you're not going to miss. You see the amount of young people involved here and yet we're being told the youth are not interested in politics." She is happy that, overall, Fianna Fáil will hold up well in the elections. "In certain areas where you have difficult issues, now is the time to get out and canvass." For Bailieboro the difficult issues include incineration and Cavan General Hospital.
