The Taoiseach kicked off the summer festival campaign this evening when he launched the first Killarney Summerfest.
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Mr Ahern hones his skills for the election campaign
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While those in attendance could not be sure, no-one present seriously thought he would be announcing the start of any other campaigns.
That is until, at the end of his speech, he said he was keeping his remarks short because there was a matter of great national and international importance about to take place.
There was a sharp intake of breath.
"Manchester United are playing in the Champions League," he said. "C’mon the Reds." Labour and the Socialist Party will be pleased.
The Taoiseach must have wondered if he was still in the Dáil as amid clowns, impersonators, a magician and a juggler, Mr Ahern was joined by Nicky and Brian from the band Westlife at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin. Kerryman and Minister for Justice John O’Donoghue was also in attendance.
The Killarney Summerfesttakes place between the June 28th and July 5th and will feature a number of big live dates with Westlife and Tom Jones confirmed and other announcements to be made in the coming weeks.
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Bertie Ahern poses with Brian and Nicky from Westlife
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The festival will be family-oriented with the winner of the St Patrick’s Festival prize Buí Bolg Street Carnival, a teddy Bears picnic and treasure hunts, children’s workshops and a samba soccer school among the many events lined up.
"I am confident that Killarney Summerfest will quickly become the highlight of the annual tourism and events calendar," Mr Ahern said.
Organised by Destination Killarney the date for the festival was deliberately set at the start of the tourist season in the hope of generating increased revenue for the area. The organisers hope the festival will contribute at least €15m to the local economy.
"There really is something for everyone in the family to enjoy," Mr Patrick O’Donoghue, chairman of the Killarney Summerfest said.