Triumphalism put on hold but humble Kenny keeps boasting of his modesty

There were no big announcements, no bold promises and no triumphant celebrations.

And although his standing in the party has never been so high, Enda Kenny kept a low profile during most of the Fine Gael ard fheis.

He entered the stage for his leader’s address on Saturday night without thumping a single shoulder or slapping any high fives — gestures he has grown fond of as he settles more comfortably into his role of Taoiseach.

His speech didn’t really get the crowd fired up, as often happens on these occasions.

It almost looked like the Kenny of old, the one people thought lacked the charisma to lead the country, without the energy and positivity he has shown recently in tackling the problems of the country.

So what was up with Enda Kenny and Fine Gael? This was the first time in 15 years that they have had an ard fheis while in power. It comes on the back of their biggest electoral success in history, with their greatest ever numbers of TDs and senators.

It also comes two weeks after the Mahon Tribunal reported, bringing Fianna Fáil — who kept them out of office for 62 of the last 80 years — to its knees.

But Fine Gael had something to hide: Their pride. The message of the ard fheis was humility in the age of austerity.

“We’ll pop the champagne corks the night the troika leave town,” Finance Minister Michael Noonan told the crowd gathered in the main auditorium.

But the celebrations must be saved until then: “Let’s come together and get on with the work,” said Mr Noonan, who had earlier described himself as the “mechanic” of the Irish economy.

“We’ve made a good start but there’s a long road ahead yet but we have four years to do it. So ar aghaidh leis an obair!”

The Taoiseach struck a similar note in his address: “As we gather at this Árd Fheis, our purpose can not be one of celebration.

“We will not celebrate until Ireland has reason to celebrate.”

Mr Kenny even went as far as to admit some pre-election promises were not fulfilled.

“While the steps we have taken in the first year have brought stability, we recognise that some of the pledges we made have not been delivered,” he said.

But no matter how hard they tried to conceal it, the hidden pride of Fine Gael was unmasked throughout the weekend.

As it became clear on Friday night that there would be significant non-payment of the household charge, ministers couldn’t resist dismissing those who had planned to protest the following afternoon.

They should just “get a life”, Alan Shatter, the justice minister, said as he arrived in the auditorium.

TDs were initially quick to dismiss the protest when it got under way on Saturday afternoon. They rubbed their hands with glee when just a handful had gathered outside the convention centre, with Micheal Ring, a junior minister from Mayo, reportedly commenting: “I saw more people at Balla mart the other day.”

Their cough was soon softened when a group of around 6,000 arrived having marched through the city.

The angry gathering could be seen from the glass building where Fine Gael delegates were gathered, but it did not take long before security lowered dark blinds to avoid protesters being provoked by the sight of people looking down on them from their glass tower.

Environment Minister Phil Hogan, against whom most of the anger was directed, remained blissfully shielded from the angry scenes, taking part in a forum on the environment in a conference room.

Meanwhile, Leo Varadkar, the transport minister, was seizing the opportunity to fire out insults to the opposition, whom he painted as clowns and fools to a delighted crowd.

Elsewhere, a motion was passed that the Government should prioritise “consideration” of gay marriage.

Pride and prejudice were both hidden at the Fine Gael ard fheis of 2012, but were not cast aside. The party’s new approach is to show humility at a time when so many people are suffering so much. Mr Kenny is portraying himself as the people’s humble servant.

Still, when the whole thing had concluded at the National Convention Centre in Dublin, the blueshirts could not help boasting about just how modest they had been.