Dáil Sketch/Miriam Lord: This is always a very sad, yet curiously uplifting day. On the one hand, there is the pitiful sight of drained deputies, energy spent, hauling their aching carcasses and numbed brains into the Dáil chamber for one last time. The stronger among them try to lend as much support as they can to the weaker ones.
It's a poignant scene.
On the other hand, there is the sweet realisation that deliverance it at hand. That these brave political butterflies, spirits broken on the wheel of having to stand up and be counted for 96 days of the working year, will soon be free.
And free they were by teatime yesterday, fluttering out into the car parks with boxes of stationary and summertime smiles on their faces.
If work is the curse of the drinking classes, then legislating is the curse of the elected classes and accountability is the curse of the governing classes.
Some TDs insist they can carry on when the mercury rises. Indeed, some TDs demand to be allowed continue doing the nation's work, despite being in a state of near collapse. They are called the Opposition.
Mind you, with the House meeting for the final time until September 27th, they had a point when they argued that a three- month recess is far too long in a decent democracy.
Enda Kenny and Pat Rabbitte were very radical. They proposed staying on for another whole week, then returning early to the fray on September 12th.
Pat felt it was "a modest proposal". Swift's Modest Proposal would have been more warmly received.
And incredulous Enda said he was told by Martin Brady that Fianna Fáil backbenchers "are not just tired, they are exhausted".
Deputy Brady tried to unnerve him with a wan glance, but it's hard to do that when you're grinning from ear to ear.
His backbench colleague, Noel Davern, sporting a deep suntan, was wise to this Opposition guff about keeping the Dáil show on the road. He pointed to the ranks behind Enda. "Tell Tom Hayes. He has his safari suit on."
If ascetic Trevor Sargent of the Greens had his way, TDs would be lucky to get a holiday at all this year.
The Sinn Féiners to his right nodded in agreement, until he called for "parity of esteem" with the Westminster parliament.
"You're running out of steam yourself," trilled Fianna Fáil's Máire Hocter, attempting a late end-of-season run from obscurity.
"I do not know the comparisons between this chamber and the neighbouring island," murmured Sinn Féin's Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin sniffily.
Caoimhghín, who couldn't be more pompous if he declaimed to the House wearing a frock coat and knee breeches, is more concerned that the public is unaware of all the hard work done by deputies.
Clearly, Deputy Ó Caoláin has been particularly traumatised by the events of this week, when the House endured two rare midnight sittings.
The Sinn Féin leader of the House mustn't be familiar with night-time manoeuvres. He shuddered at the memory of "long, sleepy nights into the early hours". The bar was jumping for those two nights, with scenes that haven't been witnessed since the Fianna Fáil heaves in the 1980s.
The sight on Tuesday night of a very senior Minister and a very senior Opposition grandee passionately discussing Gaelic football on the plinth at half two in the morning will be long remembered by those who witnessed it.
Speaking of the Dáil bar, the most significant event in Leinster House yesterday was the retirement of Sean Sheils, bar manager for the last 38 years. Sean could tell a few tales, but he swears he isn't going to write a book.
It was like the final days of Charles J. Haughey in the bar, as journalists beat a path to Sean's ear and begged for permission to write the biography.
Heartfelt tributes were paid in the House to the popular and discreet Cavanman. One suspects he knows a tired deputy when he sees one - unlike the ones protesting their weariness yesterday.
Mr Cowen spoke for everyone when he said Sean would be missed for his friendship, discretion, courtesy and professionalism.
"As one who is, perhaps, less frequent in the bar than many," began Biffo, stifling a laugh, "I wish Sean Sheils a happy retirement . . . I thank him for the many times he poured a good pint."