If yesterday's local authority elections were a foretaste of the next general election, then Sinn Fein had reason to be pleased.
The party saw its candidate, Ald Sean McManus, receive the mayoral chain in Sligo while Sinn Fein councillor Mr Brian McKenna was elected chairman of Monaghan County Council.
Another Sinn Fein councillor, Mr Micheal Colreavy, has been tipped to become chairman of Leitrim County Council when the councillors meet later this week.
Mr McManus's election means that for the first time in 30 years a Sinn Fein representative has taken the office of mayor.
Sinn Fein President Mr Gerry Adams said the election of Mr McManus was a sign of "Sinn Fein's rise as an active campaigning alternative in politics in the 26 counties".
Mr McManus said these new gains pointed to Sinn Fein's "major potential" in the next general election. In May, he was selected to contest the next general election. Sligo/Leitrim is one of the key constituencies being targeted by Sinn Fein and party sources believe Mr McManus has a very good chance of taking a seat. In the last election, he tripled his vote to 3,208.
However, he will face strong competition not least from Mr Declan Bree of Labour. Mr Bree, who lost his seat in the last election, was beaten by Mr McManus in the mayoral race.
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein's victory in securing the chairmanship of Monaghan County Council ensures that the party will continue to strengthen its base in CavanMonaghan.
The party holds six seats on Monaghan County Council - its largest representation on any local authority in the State. Cavan-Monaghan is also the constituency which sent Mr Caoimhghin O Caolain to the Dail in the last election.
Sinn Fein nominated a councillor for the post of Lord Mayor of Dublin but it was a symbolic gesture. Fianna Fail councillor Mr Maurice Ahern took the seat comfortably last night, thanks to a pact between Fianna Fail and Labour. The Taoiseach's elder brother took the Lord Mayoral chain from outgoing Labour Lord Mayor, Ms Mary Freehill.
Ms Freehill had a sometimes controversial year in the Mansion House, culminating with the proposed Orange Order march in Dublin in May. Ms Freehill supported the order's right to march in Dublin but following strong opposition the march was abandoned.
Mr Brian O'Donnell of the Workers and Unemployed Action Group is expected to be elected mayor of Clonmel tonight. Another member of the group, Mr Seamus Healy, won the recent by-election in Tipperary South. The group holds four of the 12 seats on Clonmel Borough Council.