Dublin's Merrion Square looked more like a scene from an agricultural show than a city square, writes Alison Healy
The revving of 300 tractor engines and the honking of horns was all that could be heard at 1.30 p.m. when the order was given to protesting farmers to "show your determination to the Government".
The air filled with exhaust fumes as tractor lights flashed and passers-by put their hands over their ears to stem the noise.
It was the final act in a journey which began on Sunday night in the Beara peninsula when the first tractors trundled off to Dublin to join in the IFA protest at falling farm incomes.
Some 300 tractors began arriving in Dublin city from early morning yesterday, and they quickly took over the Merrion Square area.
From beginning to end, Westland Row was full of tractors. They were all colours and shapes, but size was the one thing they had in common. Zetors, New Hollands, John Deeres: they were all big machines, eating up streets that previously hosted only family saloons, bicycles and mopeds.
"Look honey, there's a tractor, and there's some more," said one surprised woman to her child as they walked out of Pearse Street DART station.
Office staff and shop workers came outside to observe the commotion, but despite reports of hostility from Dubliners, most people couldn't help but smile at the surreal scene.
Merrion Square looked more like a scene from an agricultural show than a sophisticated city square, as a van dispensed tea, soup and sandwiches to the hungry crowds.
The midday arrival of IFA president John Dillon on a John Deere tractor draped in a Limerick flag was greeted with cheers and whoops.
"Come on, Johnny boy," one man shouted as the president dismounted and was swamped by well-wishers.
He would have got a standing ovation when he made his speech, but the crowd was already standing.
"Minister Joe Walsh has had his head in the clouds while our prices have been falling down through the floor," Mr Dillon said to loud applause.
Numerous placards jiggled in the air to remind people of the reason for their trip to Dublin. "The hills are dead to the sound of Dúchas," read one sign from Tourmakeady in Mayo.
"Goodbye Joe, you are the weakest link," read another. "Farmers - an endangered species," another proclaimed.
But the turnout wasn't confined to farmers. Many city dwellers came along to view the spectacle. Childminder Ms Emma Hooi brought her two young charges, Liam and Myles Ryan, out for the day.
"This must be like a dream for children, to see so many tractors," she said as one of the boys wondered aloud if they would be allowed on one. Then his eyes widened as he spotted two Garda horses.
Nearby, eight pre-school children decked in multi-coloured wellingtons looked bemused as they and their helpers wound their way through the crowds.
Another city dweller, Ms Bernie FitzGerald, empathised so much with the farmers that she filled her shopping bag on wheels with flasks and sandwiches and proceeded to feed some of the masses.
"I think they are very dignified," she said. "And I think that Minister [for Agriculture] should be ashamed of himself."
While office workers on Merrion Square have heard many instructions in their time, the strangest one rang out over the loudspeakers as the speeches finished.
"Return to your tractor cabs immediately, please proceed immediately to your tractors," an IFA official instructed.
The farmers duly revved up their tractors and kicked the city dust from their feet. By 3 p.m. Merrion Square was back in the hands of the city workers and had fallen strangely silent.