"THERE are a lot of people really annoyed that we are here," said a Republican Sinn Feiner as he stood in the splendour of Derry's Guildhall at the weekend for the party's first major conference in the city.
The DUP was furious that the party had managed to book the building, and rumour had it that Provisional Sinn Fein wasn't too happy, either. Around 100 people attended a debate entitled "Irish Freedom - Reform or Revolution?" on Saturday evening.
Workshops were held earlier in the afternoon. The mood was militant and fundamentalist. Regardless of what the Provisional IRA do, Republican Sinn Fein isn't rethinking its support of "armed struggle".
Those present were unimpressed with the prospect of all party talks and a settlement for Northern Ireland. "The only thing a good republican should go into Stormont with is as much Semtex as he can carry," a man said.
During a discussion on Orange parades, there was heavy criticism of Sinn Fein for containing nationalist anger during last year's marching season.
There were complaints that party stewards had stopped protesters from breaking through RUC lines and had actually helped the authorities to "police" nationalists.
A woman from the Republic complained that while the Orange Order was able to mobilise its supporters at Drumcree, nationalists seemed unable to bring out similar numbers to support beleaguered residents.
"The Orange Order won at Drumcree. We can't deny that," said a south Armagh man. "They are in the ascendancy and we have an uphill struggle ahead. It is even worse because certain elements who were once revolutionary have now stepped back and are about to accept the six county state."
Speaking at the evening debate, the Republican Sinn Fein president Ruairi O Bradaigh, said that the peace process had achieved nothing for nationalists.
"Where is British withdrawal? What was the mountain of sacrifice of which Derry paid its share for?"
Mr Tony O'Hara of the Irish Republican Socialist Party, the INLA's political wing, suggested that "a broad anti imperialist front" be built by like minded political groups.
Mr O'Hara was strongly applauded.