Ooohs, aaahs and whoops of joy accompanied the sounds of exploding fire rockets in the sky above Aras an Uachtarain last night as the President's inauguration was celebrated with a bang. At 6.30 p.m., several star-bursts opened the 10-minute fireworks display held in the Phoenix Park in Dublin. i stood open mouthed The symbolic green, white and orange volleys of fireworks temporarily transformed the night sky and the 2000strong crowd, delighted at the ear-shattering noise, cheered at the end.
Earlier, Maria Hingerty of Theatre of Fire, a Co Wicklow based company which creates similar displays throughout Europe, described how the show tied in with Mary McAleese's presidential theme.
"It was a multi-coloured display with all the colours blending in together, especially the green white and orange of our flag," she said. Afterwards, when a cloud of sparkling light fell like rain on the park, the clearlyexcited crowd enthused about the proceedings and their new President. "It was like spaceships coming out of the sky," said 11-year-old Sarah Kennelly from Castleknock in Dublin. "It was like the birth of a galaxy" and "out of this world" were typical of other comments. The adults were more philosophical, describing the dazzling show as a fitting tribute to "a wonderful woman".
"It is a great welcome for her and makes us the ordinary people feel much more a part of her celebrations," said Maureen O'Leary from Cork.
But a young fireworks fan cast some doubt over the wisdom of a seven-year presidential term. "If this is what happens, we should elect a new President every year," he said.