Team Ireland claimed six golds in competition on the third day of the 2003 Special Olympic Games, matching yesterday's total and bringing the overall medal haul for the Irish to nineteen.
Today's glory performances came from Pamela Mayes in the bocce singles, Dessie Gonoude, Stephen Roche, Mary Crosse and Jane Spillane in their respective equestrian fields and Kiera Joyce in ten-pin bowling.
The Equestrian Cell in Kill provided the scene for the first Irish medals of the day. The difficult working trails competition saw the Irish justify their reputation as top of the Equestrian, with a fine individual performance from Tullamore's Dessie Gonoude who claimed top spot. Not to be outdone, Stephen Roche from Athy rose to the occasion and claimed the top medal in his own division.
The home country's domination of in the showground continued with a further gold medal in working trials claimed by Mary Crosse from Ennis, who romped home in her specialised category - a performance matched by Jane Spillane in the same competition.
The tricolour was also flown high at the Leisureplex in Blanchardstown, where Kiera Joyce took gold with a fine display of bowling.
So much for the competitions though - anyone who walked through the lazy afternoon sunshine at the RDS today could be forgiven for thinking that the 2003 Special Olympic World Games had been placed on hold. Ice cream, shades and sunshine seemed in more demand than those prestigious medals.
For the third day in a row, thousands flocked to Ballsbridge venue, where the artistic gymnastics, bocce and powerlifting competitions were in full flow. Many spectators queued over an hour in the balmy heat to get one of the prized places in the spectators podium.
They were not disappointed. Pamela Mayes from county Down claimed the gold medal in her division of the bocce singles. The game, a boules-style contest originating from an ancient Greek ball-tossing past-time, has so far attracted hundreds of interested spectators, and the Irish in the crowd were given something to cheer about by Pamela's superb performance.
For those enjoying a well-deserved rest from competition, the Festival Village was in full flow. This arena, separate from the main competition venue, is specially constructed, with music, refreshments and amusements aplenty.
There is further spot of recreation for all 7,000 athletes, and their families, tonight at the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. All and sundry will be treated to an evening of entertainment, and maybe a just a little shopping, at the centre, which has been closed to the public since earlier this afternoon in preparation for the occasion.
Visiting dignitaries and celebrities were on hand again today, to cheer on the athletes and savour the mood. The President, Mrs McAleese paid a morning visit to the athletics competitions at Santry's Morton Stadium, and she came accompanied by the Irish international soccer manager Brian Kerr, who earlier scouted the footballing talent at the AUL complex in Clonshaugh.
Back in the RDS, which serves as the nerve-centre of the Games, Ms Eunice Kennedy-Shriver and members of her family caught some of the powerlifting action, having visited the National Aquatic Centre in Abbotstown earlier in the morning to see the competitions in the pool.
After a quieter day of contests today, the action begins to heat up again tomorrow. Events to watch out for include the opening days competition in kayaking at the Salmon Leap Canoe Club in Leixlip, and motor activities in the RDS, table tennis, a massive hit with spectators yesterday, also resumes at the RDS in the morning.
One thing's for sure - sunshine or not, spectators will need to get in early. These Games are hotting up.