Among the goblins, ghosts and monsters are a host of specially invited guests. It's easy to spot them as they flit under the spotlights in the Coach House at Dublin Castle where details of St Patrick's Festival 2000 are being launched by Dr Jim McDaid, the Minister for Tourism.
Louise Kennedy, the designer, says "we're bedlam" preparing for the Brown Thomas Supermodel Show, which will be followed by the opening of her first shop in London the same week.
John McColgan, the man behind Riverdance, is chatting to Doireann Ni Bhriain, general manager of the Millennium Festivals Committee. They haven't seen each other for a chat since 1995. It's all the international jet setting, they agree. Senator Feargal Quinn says the initials ycdbsoya on his "garish green" tie, which features tiny gold armchairs, stand for "you can't do business sitting on your armchair". He presents it to the minister later. Kieran McLoughlin, director of the Ireland Funds, says the organisation raises money from philanthropists for Irish charities. And what's it like trying to get money from rich people? "It ain't easy," he confides. "But it's very rewarding." Also spotted at the lively event are broadcasters Mary Kennedy and Marty Whelan and the man in the stetson, US ambassador Mike Sullivan, who will be in Washington this St Patrick's Day. And three of the ghosts plus one devil, all from the city centre's Mount Carmel Secondary School, lift their masks briefly to give their names too: Oana Elisei (16); Joanne Marcu (16); Sophie Dibanzilwa and Roisin McInerney (16).