CHARLIE Haughey is no stranger in the Dingle Peninsula. But he's now the real Taoiseach and it was in that capacity that he visited the area on Sunday. There was a lightness in his step and a smile on his face that reflected the happiness of a man who was among his own, far from the barks of the political baying dogs.

He arrived by helicopter to unveil a plaque in Dingle and a monument in Dún an Óir to commemorate people and events of four centuries ago.

Three arms of the security forces were there to greet him - the army, the navy and the gardaí. Of course, there were the party men who treat a Taoiseach like a piece of personal property. And the members of the general public, the locals and the visitors.

There was sunshine over all, relieving the fears of the story about the workman who got thirsty doing a job on his house at Inishvicilaun and quenched his thirst with a bottle or two of the Taoiseach's best wine.

He was in a good mood still later when joined Mary Fitzgerald from Tralee, Mary O'Connor of Finuge and Tadhg Flahive from Listowel to dance to "Patsy Healy" around the flagged floor of Teach Siamsa na Carraige.

Mr Haughey walked through the streets of Dingle on his way to the quay, shaking hands, holding many people in Corca Dhuibhne who had worked for so long and so hard to make it a day to remember.

And it was that, even if the numbers who turned out to greet the Taoiseach and attend the commemoration pageant at Dún an Óir were disappointing.

But Mr Haughey did not reflect that disappointment. He was happy as he accepted a gift of a decanter in Dingle and jokingly assured Chief Supt John Doyle and Supt John Riordan that there was no poitin in it at all.

He was happy too at Dún an Óir. Happy to see his neighbours from the area make such a professional job of the pageant which re-enacted scenes from the massacre of the Spainish and Italian forces four centuries before.

He was happy later when he spoke on Raidio na Gaeltachta and told the babies and waving to those curious enough to come to their doorways or roll down the windows of their cars.

He visited the pubs of Ballyferriter later in the evening and reportedly left a £100 note in Kruger's to help in the celebrations there.

There was time too to here presentations. He did this with interest and assurance.

And he tossed around compliments. He was impressed with the work of Comharchumann Forbartha Chorcha Dhuibhne; he told manager John Prendergast at the Dún an Óir Hotel the Berkeley Court would not put up a better lunch; he congratulated Bosco Ó Conchubhair for the contribution that he and his wife Maire had made to the pageant; Indeed, he was effusive in his praise of all who were involved in the pageant and he was delighted with the talent he heard and saw perform during an hour's visit to the Teach Siamsa, where he was officially welcomed by manager Martin Whelan.

He spoke later to a meeting of party members in the hall of Murioch. We don't know how happy he was there. He had to listen to a long speech by Deputy John O'Leary, now a back bencher (by courtesy of Mr Haughey) and a ma with may views about how the party stands in terms of popularity and performance.

We hear that Councillor Tom Fitzgerald wasn't too happy that deputy from Killarney should be so long winded. But that could have been Tom's only sour note of the weekend. It was a big occasion for him. He was the head and tail of all the arranging for this visit. He was there to embrace Mr and Mrs Haughey when they emerged from the helicopter in the morning and we can be certain that he saw that off to bed that night.