Irish voices were hoarse within hours of the final whistle last night as visiting fans celebrated long into the Cardiff night. It was no wonder, as from early yesterday morning, the strains of 'Galway Girl' and 'The Fields of Athenry' were being sung with gusto as if we already knew what the outcome would be.

But that didn't mean there weren't several heart-stopping and nail-biting moments as Brian O'Driscoll and his merry men finally delivered the booty of a first Grand Slam for Ireland since 1948.

Dalkey resident Caroline Spooner was among those at the match.

"The second half was just pure drama. We were absolutely shaking our way through. Rog's drop-goal was magnificent. I can hardly believe it."

The exiled Irish were also present in their droves including Londoner Hugo Lynch.

"It's absolutely brilliant. What a way to do it – the best game ever."

Hugo's friend Brian added: "It was long deserved. They have had three or four bad misses but this was their day. It's just a wonderful day and what a way to win the game."

The beer flowed freely in packed pubs around the Millennium Stadium. Across the road Tralee underage rugby coach John Murray was savouring the atmosphere at the Angel Hotel. He hailed the current crop of Ireland players as the greatest he has seen in recent decades.

"They are a great team and Kidney has a great bench to use as well. We have a fantastic manager as well."

Bernadette Sexton, one of a group of nine clad in Paul O'Connell masks, wasn't letting the ticket drought affect her Cardiff experience.

"It's been impossible to get a ticket, but we're here to enjoy the experience and we'll still have the craic. In years to come we can say we were in Cardiff. Sure no one will know if we were in the stadium or not! It's going to be a great day!"