It was August, it was sunny, and the Leaving Certificate results had just been released.
It could mean only one thing: hordes of teenagers out celebrating the end of their school days, marking the occasion in Dublin city centre early last night by being, well, far more sensible than in the past.
"I was in the pub this morning after we got the results," said Jenny Dalton (18) from Santry. "But we heard stories from last year, so we won't be having too much to drink."
Playing pool with his friends, Conor Ennis (18) from Templeogue agreed. "I'm going out to have a good time, but it's not going to be a good time if I get sick all over the place We're heading to a gig in the Temple Bar Music Centre, because it's only €5 in."
If this was the extent of the drunken debauchery usually associated with the release of the Leaving Certificate results, then times have certainly changed. Most felt the night was a great chance to catch up with old friends. Laura Weafer (18) from Tallaght was dressed from head to toe in her school uniform.
"It is the last chance to wear the old school tie," she explained. "I know a couple of people who were disappointed with their results, but they came out anyway. They'd regret it afterwards if they didn't."
Several well-known bars and nightclubs around town, including the Temple Theatre and Coyote Lounge, were running special Leaving Certificate results parties. Gardaí said they expected little trouble.
"We're not out to stop people's enjoyment," said a Garda spokesman. "In the past few years, people have acted more responsibly. We hope this will continue this year."
Gone are the days when celebrating students would congregate on Grafton Street. With remarkable foresight, it seems, teenagers are choosing to stay in the same place all night.
"We're off to the Temple Theatre for the whole night," said Laura Meaney (17) from Donaghmede. "My whole year is going, except for a couple who don't have any money I'll probably go home afterwards, though. I have to watch the drink or my brother will kill me!"
"I don't want to drink that much. I'll have one or two but I won't get hammered," agreed Cormac Quigley (18) from Rathmines. "There's no point getting drunk and ending up doing stupid things."
It was not hard to tell who the celebrating Leaving Certificate students were in Dublin city centre last night. They were the ones watching the amount they drank, playing pool or sitting in a quiet corner of a pub, celebrating with their friends.