REPUBLICANS in west Belfast haven't been so jubilant since the 1994 IRA ceasefire when they took to the streets with Tricolours and champagne. Following last week's Westminster election results, there is a feeling that they are riding on the crest of a wave that will overcome everything in its path.
Nationalist sentiment, and pride in all things Irish, are running high. "We have got a world snooker champion and two [Sinn Fein] MPs. What more could you ask for?" asked a republican activist in west Belfast.
Republicans are delighted that they received a record 16 per cent of the poll despite what they perceive as a coalition of forces ranged against them. They assert that they are no longer the junior partners of Irish nationalism.
"John Bruton, Dick Spring, John Hume and the newspapers all urged voters not to support Sinn Fein, yet they did," said an Andersonstown man. "People ignored their advice and listened to what we were saying. That gives us a lot more independence."
But this "independence" is within a certain context. Sinn Fein leaders know their vote was primarily one in support of the party's peace strategy and that there would have been no triumphs had the IRA campaign been in full swing.
Electoral success has tipped the balance strongly in favour of moderates in the republican movement. While the IRA campaign falters, Sinn Fein is strengthening. Hardliners will find it almost impossible to reverse the trend towards constitutionalism.
A republican activist who opposes the peace process said the electoral successes made another ceasefire inevitable. "It's a question of when, not if, it happens. Gerry Adams can now argue that the constitutional path is working and that Sinn Fein needs to get into talks and argue its case.
"The big vote gives him a lot of muscle with the IRA. He is no longer just president of the IRA's political wing. He has a very strong personal mandate from the people. Many new Sinn Fein voters don't support the IRA and are against a return to violence. Gerry Adams will be arguing that the movement must keep these people on board at all costs."
Another sceptic said: "These election results are being portrayed as a great victory for republicanism, but republicanism isn't what it used to be.
"We are being screwed by the peace process. People are running around expecting wonderful things of the new British government, but it's all based on a vague hope. Nothing is concrete.
"There will be a ceasefire to allow Sinn Fein go to talks, but a partitionist settlement is the only outcome from talks. The leadership knows this, but the grassroots don't."
Another source said that a variety of factors - political restraints from the leadership and internal structural problems - meant the IRA was not mounting "successful" operations. "Sinn Fein looks strong and healthy whereas the IRA looks awful," he said.
Most republicans are optimistic about Mr Tony Blair's government. "Labour has a big majority in the House of Commons and they really want to make progress with the peace process. They won't be paying lip-service to it.
"There is a lot of goodwill on our part towards them. But that doesn't mean that we are going to roll over belly-up and do whatever they ask," said a Sinn Fein member.
Although they did not totally rule out the possibility, most republicans did not believe there would be a ceasefire before multi-party talks begin on June 3rd. Negotiations will be in session for only a month before being suspended until September.
One source said ceasefires didn't "come on tap". British intelligence made huge inroads into the IRA during the last cessation and it would be very difficult to convince militants to agree to another one unless there was a strong chance of political progress, he said.
Republicans eagerly await Dr Mowlam's widely-heralded confidence-building measures including the introduction of a Bill of Rights, RUC reform, and new fair employment measures.
But even in these changing times, old habits die hard. One activist wasn't rejoicing at the new appointments at Stormont Castle or the royal visit earlier this week.
"There has been so much media hype about Mo Mowlam's team and how key members are our `Celtic cousins' from Scotland and Wales," he said. "But Scots, Welsh or English MPs deciding our fate is unacceptable.
"And it was a wee bit galling to watch Prince Charles in his red helicopter flying around the six counties as though he owned the place."