The style is to die for. It's ladies' day at the races. Commanche Court is about to be led into the parade ring. Ruby Walsh and his father Ted are here. The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, is ready to make the presentation. Vere Wynne Jones is (beyond) compere. The sun has come out and Fairyhouse Racecourse is abuzz with excitement.
It's a historic day for race-goers and a memorable one for those who put money on the Walsh-trained winner of the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National. Five Longford men look out over the balcony and watch the story unfold. Are the men from Longford a kind of mafia? "They always travel in a pack," jokes Marie Barden, wife of one - Oliver Barden, who owns O'Donoghues on Merrion Row. Their long-time friend John Mahon, another Longfordian and a publican too with six pubs in New York under his belt including Langan's on 47th Street, is home on holidays, soaking up the sun. More friends from the home county are Brian Donohoe and Enda Conefrey, to mention just two. There's also Eugene McGann, a property consultant, originally from Drumlish in Co Longford. They've all come to support and celebrate with horse owner Seamus Ross - also from the great inland county, who breaks out the champagne after his horse wins the second race. The President, Mrs McAleese and her husband, Martin McAleese, link fingers as they walk through the crowds. There are a few politicians among the punters: John Bruton TD, leader of the Fine Gael party, is with his wife, Finola and their daughters Emily (15) and Mary Elizabeth (11). Dr Michael Woods and his wife, Margot, are here, about to part as the Minister for Education and Science heads to Waterford and the ASTI teacher conference. The Garda Commissioner, Pat Byrne and his wife Dolores are here too.
Some have braved the day dressed in shocking pink, tangerine and lemon! There are big matching hats in evidence too. Glorious in cerise is Kathleen Dunworth from the Central Bar on Thomas Street, Limerick, here with her sister, Margaret McGrath, in a mustard-yellow suit. an Gibney and her husband Tony Gibney: they're from Malahide's Gibney's public house in Malahide. Sinead Keogh and her boyfriend, Pearse Fahy, are also matching, both wearing wide-brimmed, cowboyesque type hats with sprigs in the hatband.
The Leixlip-based group, The Jazz Freaks, belt out the numbers as the bets are placed. They have been lucky on the horses today, according to vocalist John O'Reilly. And they're singing: "Why not take all of me" and not "Why not take all off me," which was the case the day before, he says.