The referendum may have been lost, but delegates were quick to put the issue behind them, writes Mark Hennessy, Political Reporter
In jovial mood, Fianna Fáil delegates thronged the Citywest Hotel confident that the party will be back in power after voters go to the polls in "the fine days" of May.
"I thought that the referendum result might have been a slight damper on the proceedings, but that hasn't been the case," commented Cllr Pat O'Sullivan from Galway East.
Once time goes by, he believed the public would accept that the Government's proposal was the best that could be produced, regardless of which way they voted.
"It might even rebound in our favour. People will see the complications. Certainly, it does not matter what Dana or Justin Barrett do now. It will be a long time before there will be another referendum. It has been proved that it is practically impossible to get a wording.
"People said that Dana had a huge profile during the campaign, but she didn't have a huge influence. Look at the size of the Yes vote in Galway East."
An attempt by a couple of youthful abortion protesters to storm the stage during Mr Ahern's address was quickly curbed, to applause from delegates, while the Taoiseach looked on tight-lipped.
The loss of both the Nice and abortion referendums will not matter on polling day, according to South Tipperary delegate Mr Eamon Power. "People draw distinctions between general elections and everything else."
For Athlone delegate Mr Jackie Lally, a close ally of Public Enterprise Minister Ms Mary O'Rourke, the issue was simple.
"Bertie Ahern made a promise and he kept that promise. At the end of the day the people have decided that they want to keep things the way that they are."
Questioned about Fianna Fáil's chances, the delegates lapped up the political abuse directed at Fine Gael leader Michael Noonan and predicted 80, downwards - though the usual caveats were added.
Defeated Tipperary South by-election candidate Mr Michael Maguire was not pining for another chance.
"I ran twice. The public said no. You move on. We were lucky to get someone like Martin Mansergh to run."
The applause for the contributions of some ministers, though warm, was proof of the late Enoch Powell's dictum that all politicians' careers end in failure.
For a few, delegates were hoping the applause was for the last time.