Over the years, US ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith has become renowned for her July 4th parties - this year's will be her last. So it is fitting that it will be the biggest and perhaps the best ever. While the party on board the JFK aircraft carrier in 1996 had huge curiosity value, and 1995's bash in the nascent Irish Financial Services Centre was also memorable - and put the IFSC on the map - tomorrow night's party to mark the 222nd anniversary of American independence has the benefit of numbers.
Over 1,000 invited guests are expected at the Phoenix Park, residence, some travelling from around the country and some, like Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, just popping over from Leinster House. Representatives from business, the arts, community groups, the world of music and political life will be enjoying hot dogs, hamburgers, traditional American music and, if they've obeyed the dress code, they'll be wearing festive red, white and blue.
The evening will be rounded off with fireworks at approximately 10.15 p.m., which should be visible from far and away. So if you're not on the guest-list, you might as well just have your own private party and enjoy the show from a quieter vantage point.