One of the few big, non by-election, political gatherings over the coming weeks takes place in Cork next Saturday when the great and good in Fine Gael gather to honour elder statesman Peter Barry.
A former Tanaiste, Barry was first elected to the Dail in 1969, held several cabinet and front-bench posts and was deputy leader of the party. He retired from the Dail at the June election and his daughter Deirdre Clune took the seat first held by her grandfather.
On February 28th some 400 political associates from the past 30 years will gather at the Rochestown Park Hotel in his Cork South Central constituency to pay tribute.
The current Fine Gael leader and former leaders - John Bruton, Garret FitzGerald and Alan Dukes - will be there and John Hume, who had lengthy dealings with Peter Barry when he was Minister for Foreign Affairs, is also travelling. Liam Cosgrave Jnr will represent his father. Margaret Barry and the couple's six children will be in attendance and wholehearted praise is expected from all speakers.