The love-in between Bertie and Tony was very much in evidence at the Government dinner for the Blairs in Dublin Castle on Wednesday night.
The Taoiseach, who spoke first, was less effusive in his praise than the Prime Minister, but left no doubt about how well the two men get on. After the toast to the guest, with water since the wine hadn't arrived, Tony got to his feet.
It was one of the great sacrifices of our time, he said, that the Taoiseach was welcoming him on a night that Man United were playing Barcelona. Bertie, he said, was "absolutely fantastic". Over two days and three nights of negotiations you got to know the character of someone and Bertie was "a thoroughly good man".
The dinner was "informal" so the style was less than it could have been, and there was no receiving line, so only the elite got to meet the visitors.
Guests included former taoisigh Garret FitzGerald, Al- bert Reynolds and John Bruton, as well as party leaders, Cabinet ministers, politicians, judges, top churchmen and civil servants.
The castle looked splendid and many followed the harpist's instructions and joined in singing Molly Malone.