For years the Green Party has been seen as an oddity on the Irish political landscape, worthy, but distanced from the real world. It is a reputation that the majority in its ranks is now keen to leave behind.
Standing before delegates in Kilkenny on Saturday, Dublin South-East TD Mr John Gormley pulled few punches when he looked at the mistakes made over the last two decades.
"We joined with enthusiasm, but with only a vague idea of what was possible. Sometimes we had to learn the hard way. We learnt that we first of all had to recognise reality," he declared.
Lots of baggage has already been discarded. Some of the crazier economic ideas are no longer mentioned. Rules to discipline errant members have been introduced. The ban on election posters has gone.
Now, said Mr Gormley a little ruefully, when they look at posters they talk about their cost, their impact and whether the lighting used by the photographer was any good or not.
The decision finally to elect Dublin North TD Mr Trevor Sargent as leader marks a significant change, even if he will be "Una Duce, but not the Una Voce", commented Leinster MEP Ms Nuala Ahern.
Watching the Greens draft their "shopping list" of demands for coalition, it was noticeable that the emphasis was on practical, deliverable items; better transport, childcare, help for those caring for relatives at home.
"I say this to our prospective partners. We are straight dealers. We may be partial to wearing woolly jumpers, but we will not have the wool pulled over our eyes by anyone," Mr Gormley went on.
Though the Greens have softened some policies, they are confident that many more have finally come of age: including demands for better food quality, a cleaner environment, and an improved quality of life.
"Maybe the other parties have visions of migrating to other planets. But we are different. We are pragmatic and are prepared to live by the rules set by nature," said Mr Sargent.
Currently holding two Dβil seats, the Greens are confident that gains can be made, next, particularly in Carlow/Kilkenny, Dublin South, D·n Laoghaire and, perhaps, Cork South Central.
Four seats could turn them into a coalition linchpin. Carlow/Kilkenny is the best shot. Cllr Mary White, who is now the Green's deputy leader, has a strong base in Carlow, which has long felt overshadowed by its larger neighbouring county.
The long-held fear that government would corrupt the party has faded away as they have watched Greens, especially in Germany and Finland, come to terms with power.
"It has worked. In Finland, the Greens are no longer seen exclusively as a party of protest. It is simply not true to say, as our opponents do, that the Greens have been unable to handle power in Germany," said Mr Gormley.
Sinn FΘin holds little fears. Cllr Paul Gogarty said: "I don't see them as a threat. People will vote for hard-working politicians, whether they screw the government, or have a whiff of cordite about them." Oddly, an increased vote is a bonus, as long as it does not go too far. Traditionally, the votes of defeated Sinn FΘin candidates have transferred heavily to Greens.
Following Nice, the Greens know that there is mileage in some criticism of the European Union, particularly regarding the lack of democratic control over institutions, but only if it does not go too far.
Delegate after delegate spoke of the advantages that EU membership has brought. The Kenmare delegate who believed it all to be a "Masonic plot" was listened to with mounting impatience.
Though taken on grounds of principle, the decision by most leading figures in the party to oppose the Government's decision to offer the State's airspace and airports to the United States may yet prove wise politically. If civilian casualties result from military action in Afghanistan , doubts will quickly creep into the public's mind.
During a calm, heart-achingly honest debate on abortion, the Greens generally agreed that the referendum is a bad idea - though a single party line could prove difficult to create, and even more difficult to hold.