"No Car Day" turned out to be a damp squib in Galway, where many people weren't even aware it was happening.
Traffic in Eyre Square and the immediate city centre area was quieter than normal, with corporation road blocks in operation, but garda∅ reported that otherwise it was business as usual, while traffic wardens noted no reductions in the number of parking offences being committed.
"I've been handing out the same amount of tickets as any Saturday," stated one warden.
Saturday wasn't a suitable day for a car-free campaign, he said. "Families have to do their shopping and, for a lot of husbands and wives, it's the only time both are off." He also felt the campaign hadn't been publicised enough.
The city centre was thronged with shoppers, many of them drivers who would have been happy to participate in the No Car Day, had they known it was on.
"It's a good idea, if people knew about it," said Ms Lali Morris, who had driven to town from Bushy Park on the outskirts of the city. "I would have cycled had I known. There are a lot of cars about for a Car Free Day."
Ms Ann Butler from Clonboo, eight miles outside the city, had a similar story.
"I wasn't even aware it was on," she said. Even if she had, her options were limited given the poor public transport system between Clonboo and Galway, she said.
Use of public transport in the city was slightly up on normal, according to Bus ╔ireann, which, with private bus operators, did not charge fares on Saturday.
Galway Corporation road blocks operated from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on designated streets.
"We will be finishing up in a few minutes," said a visibly relieved Corporation worker at 3.45 p.m. Matters had gone smoothly at his post with few cars entering, he said.
"The lads down the road got a lot of hassle from drivers, though."
For cyclists around Galway, the day didn't go far enough.
The Galway Cycling Campaign criticised the corporation for not implementing increased safety measures for cyclists on Saturday.
Traders at Galway city market noted no adverse effect on business.