While 55 per cent voted No to the Nice Treaty in south Kerry, there was a most definite Yes for Mr Romani Prodi and his delegation of EU officials when they arrived in a purr of state cars at the Kenmare Park Hotel last night.
Mr Prodi and his wife, Mrs Flavia Franzoni-Prodi - accompanied by Commissioner David Byrne and his wife Geraldine, Mr David O'Sullivan, secretary general of the Commission, and other officials - were on a private visit to the "traditional Irish-style country house" five-star hotel.
A minimum of fuss but a great deal of style heralded their arrival. The party had come for a rest and "a feast of the best of Irish", Mr John Brennan, general manager, emphasised.
A menu of roast breast of quail with Chorizo Allumettes, roast medallion of veal on Mediterranean vegetable gratin and chocolate Tuile Millefeuille, with fresh berries in Sneem lamb and Kenmare Bay salmon, meant the right dash of European panache among the solid Irish fare.
The antique furniture, some of it French, topped with masses of wild Irish digitalis - known as fox glove in these parts - would also strike the right note.
Don't be surprised if Mr Prodi returns to the park. Woody Allen has, on several occasions. John Travolta spent Christmas here twice. Caroline Kennedy dined there last summer. And the Taoiseach, who arrives today with Ms Celia Larkin, is another regular visitor.
Townspeople in Kenmare, which is Ireland's tidiest town,
were delighted with the visit of the top EU dignitaries.
Ms Ann Browne, chairwoman of the Tidy Towns committee, said few people were selfish enough in Kenmare to vote No. She had voted Yes. "There is no real anti-EU feeling in south Kerry. We are not greedy. We believe in sharing," she said.
The Yes vote had been a lot higher in south Kerry, an area much more used to tourism, than in north Kerry, she remarked, where the No vote was the second highest in the State.
Mr Prodi and his delegation will visit the home of the great 19th century European, Daniel O'Connell, at Derrynane today. The Liberator's home is the first stop on his tour of the Ring of Kerry. He is due to attend Mass in Kenmare tomorrow.