It must have been a dream campaign day for Taoiseach Bertie Ahern as leader of the 'Republican Party'.
First thing this morning, he attended, along with other party leaders and dignitaries the State's annual commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising at Arbour Hill in Dublin. This was immediately followed by a 'photo oppoprtunity' with one of the last letters written by executed rebel leader Pádraig Pearse.
The convoy of cars accompanying Mr Ahern on his election campaign rolled up outside the National Museum at Collins Barracks in Dublin, which recently took possession of the Pearse letter after it was aquired by an unidentified benefactor for the State.
The letter to General Maxwell, commander of the British forces, was composed by Pearse in his cell at Kilmainham Gaol hours before his execution. It asks the General to ensure statements relating to Pearse's business affairs, poems written by him in captivity and other personal effects, including £7 in cash taken from him after his arrest, are passed to his mother or his sister.
Slightly behind schedule, Mr Ahern was trailed by the same entourage of advisers, party workers and journalists that will be practically tied to his side and watching his every move until May 24 th, election day.
As clouds over the huge courtyard of the former barracks threatened a shower, Mr Ahern was greeted by the director of the National Museum Dr Pat Wallace. In the reception area, surrounded by flashing cameras, Mr Ahern scrutinised the Pearse letter under its clear plastic protective cover. Photographers had already joked about the possibility that it might be so fragile as to disintegrate on contact with human hands or exposure to flashbulbs. Thankfully, it didn't.
The Taoiseach then took the trademark Bertie Ahern 'whistlestop' tour, taking in a flavour of the Museum's permanent exhibition The Easter Rising - Understanding 1916.
He examined an original copy of the Proclamation of Independence donated to the museum in March last year and also a 200-year old longboat originally belonging to the French frigate La Résolue, a member of the fleet carrying the French army on its attempted invasion of Ireland in December 1796.
Afterwards, in the courtyard, Mr Ahern took questions from reporters. He recalled that at school he had developed a particular "liking" for Padraig Pearse's writings and praised his efforts to restore the Irish language.
"As a teacher, as a scholar, as a poet, as a political figure he is one of the giants of Irish history and I've always been a supporter and advocate of Pearse's since my schooldays," the Taoiseach said.
"Everything I can ever get my hands on about Pearse I've read and studied. I just think he's a hugely significant person."
Mr Ahern was asked by one reporter, to laughter all round, whether he saw himself "following in Pearse's footsteps".
"Well," Mr Ahern paused, "I wouldn't have his writing or poetic capacity, I can tell you. But certainly I think he was an extraordinary, powerful Irish leader."
The rain that had threatened began to drop as reporters and onlookers listened to Mr Ahern discuss his Republican 'ancestor'.
Someone, somewhere managed to find a small, black umbrella - the cheap sort. Standing beside the Taoiseach, Dr Wallace gripped the brolly over the pair of them as Mr Ahern responded to questions.
But as is always the way with umbrellas, it just wasn't doing the job for two people. The Taoiseach really wasn't getting the benefit.
As if by magic, a massive green Fianna Fáil golf umbrella was produced and it provided adequate cover for all, including a few reporters lurking behind the Taoiseach's back.
The Bertie Ahern convoy prepared to roll off again from the National Museum - photographers raced across the grass to keep up.
Tomorrow, Mr Ahern will visit Claremorris, Castlerea, Portumna and Limerick city.