If you were looking for Ministers in muck yesterday you should have gone to the National Ploughing Championships near Midleton, Co Cork, where a large collection of political animals assembled, writes Seán MacConnell in Mogeely.
Black Mercedes Benz cars arrived as quickly as the VIP system could cope with here in Mogeely.
Also in attendance one could find a record-breaking 66,000 ordinary decent citizens.
Indeed, while the National Ploughing Association was apologising for the transfer of traffic gridlock from Dublin to Co Cork, there was literally a queue of politicians beating their way through the mud towards the NPA headquarters and the press room there.
Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan, wearing exotic-coloured wellies, was holding her press conference, while Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was shuttled to the waiting area for a cup of tea at the other end of the large tent, which houses both NPA headquarters and the press.
Bertie came in and pressed the flesh with the media and delivered his bit, immediately before a young man from the PD stand announced the availability of Michael McDowell.
Lurking in sturdy, traditional Wellingtons, was Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, who managed to get his head into a picture with the Taoiseach and the formidable Anna May McHugh, who runs this event.
As the choppers circled above, we were invited to meet Gerry Adams, who was literally being mobbed by the public as he beat his way through the crowds to deliver his cúpla focal to the media.
Down around the corner, the man they call Dev Óg, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív, was delivering a script on rural development. Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin was seen to hover briefly at the front of the press tent.
There were nearly more Ministers of State and backbenchers prowling through the site than ticket sellers. And there was also a smattering of MEPs, the most comfortable being Mairéad McGuinness, who confessed to having attended 25 ploughing championships before changing her career.
While the traffic jams were horrendous, it rained only once during the day. And with a promise of more easy travelling conditions today, the crowds no doubt will return. And with the Dáil resuming, it should be a politician-free zone.