IT WAS a performance fit for a queen when Dublin celebrated Her Majesty’s final night in the capital city by giving her a send-off to remember.
Queen Elizabeth left the stage of the convention centre with the 2,000-strong audience on their feet and loud cheers and applause ringing in her ears.
The show may have been laid on by her loyal subjects in the British embassy, but it was a thoroughly Irish celebration of music, dance and the spoken word.
Local royalty was represented in the form of broadcaster Gay Byrne, who compered the 45-minute show with his usual aplomb.
“It’s a celebration that would have been beyond the imaginings of your parents and mine,” he told the lucky holders of the gilt-edged invitations, before confessing that the Queen’s visit was something he thought he would never see in his own lifetime.
There was a certain hint of smugness about the audience, possessed as they were of the hottest tickets in town.
But future bragging rights come at a price, and for the glammed up guests of Her Majesty’s foreign office, it meant a long wait before they got to see the Queen.
The show didn’t begin until seven in the evening, but the people attending had to muster down the road from the conference centre in the 02 arena to clear security before they were bussed to the venue.
There were few exceptions. Even the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Gerry Breen, resplendent in his gold chain of office, had to take his turn through the airport-style scanners.
The members of the Government were more fortunate. They all pitched up in the foyer within 10 minutes of each other, clogging up the red carpet and drawing out the lovely music of the RTÉ chamber orchestra.
In fact, the evening was rather like a works outing from Leinster House – the place was teeming with TDs and Senators, party advisers and constituency stalwarts of the ruling parties.
When they finally cleared off in the direction of the pre-show VIP reception, a team of cleaners raced into the spot they had vacated and hoovered like mad.
There was a lot of “style” according to those in the press pack who know about fashion, but even us more slovenly souls could see that the Celtic Tiger bling, mercifully, is gone.
This being a gig organised by our newly minted very best friends from the UK, the Queen arrived at the conference centre before President Mary McAleese.
She stepped from her Range Rover (would somebody not get the woman a step to help her alight safely, it’s a hell of a drop to the tarmac for an 85-year-old woman?) bang on the dot of 6pm.
Her Majesty wore another creation by designer Angela Kelly — a delicate teal lace coat dress, trimmed with teal satin edging. No hat or tiara this time, but we were relieved to see the diamond count was satisfied with yet another enormous brooch.
The Taoiseach and his wife Fionnuala — wearing a beige silk-knit suit — arrived with the Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan and his wife Marion. They were welcomed by the British ambassador Julian King and his wife Lotte Knudsen.
The crowd looked down from the balconies as the VIP guests arrived, applauding the Queen when she arrived and applauding even louder when President Mary McAleese made her entrance. The depth of the welcome for her was testament to the great job she has been doing this week.
Her Excellency looked stunning in a gold suit dress, set off dramatically by towering metallic navy stilettos.
The group went to see a fashion show before the main event. As a team of high-stepping models moved down the runway to face her, the Queen beamed at the sight of their day-glo hats and fascinators.
When one model sashayed towards her wearing what looked like a twig broom on her head, Her Majesty pointed and giggled and made a comment to the ambassador.
But it was an elegant cream Grace Kelly style cape and dress that seemed to impress her most.
Among the audience was supermodel Erin O’Connor, while Enda Kenny managed to make it inside for the final seconds of the show. Probably by design rather than by accident.
One word writ large could describe the audience – establishment. They looked a very comfortable bunch, among them TD Ming Luke Flanagan, looking very much at home as he gazed down from the balcony, cupping a glass of red wine in his hand.
Former taoisigh Albert Reynolds and Bertie Ahern were in attendance — Bertie wearing a fetching pink shirt and a black tie with pink stripes. He was accompanied by his daughter Georgina, elegant in blue.
We spotted a good number of the social partners, David Begg chief among them. Henry Mountcharles was there, along with Michael Colgan of the Gate, John and Moya McColgan, celebrity chefs Richard Corrigan and Rachel Allen, playwright Sabastian Barry, Jack Charlton and Eddie Jordan.
Broadcaster Maura Derrane looked stunning in crimson, while Amanda Brunker and Lorraine Keane delighted the photographers from the social pages.
The show was stunning. From Mary Byrne – who sang U2's All I want is You,to the Chieftains, to composer Micheál Ó Súilleabháin and singer Eimear Quinn.
Olivia O’Leary brought the house down with her take on the royal visit and Ireland’s attitude to it. It was funny, warm and incisive and struck the right tone.
Westlife thrilled the ladies in the audience and Riverdance was stunning.
When it was over, the Queen made her way to the stage. When she mouted the steps, the crowd gave her a standing ovation.
She had a great chat with Mary Byrne.
Everyone left on a high.
“Tonight’s a great crescendo,” said billionaire businessman Denis O’Brien.
“She has grown in our affections,” said Michael Noonan.
