It's not all lengthy speeches and composite motions at the Labour conference in Tralee this weekend. There will be some fun too. Bernie Malone's friends are throwing a special party tonight to mark her 20 years in public life. She was first elected to Dublin County Council in 1979. Her Euro colleague John Hume, who this week celebrated 30 years in politics, will be guest of honour. There will also be special tributes to Dick Spring, marking the success he brought them during his 15 years of leadership.
But as always on the left there is a little griping. The begrudgers say Tralee is being chosen because if Spring gets a big Euro job, as is muted, Labour - and the Spring family in particular - will have a headstart in the ensuing by-election. They also say that because it's his home town he will get a bigger cheer than new leader Ruairi Quinn.