THE LABOUR PARTY has gathered in Killarney, Co Kerry for its annual conference with most people in a fairly chipper mood – one resignation call aside – as things begin to look up for the party.

The protests have been small and at times non-existent outside, while inside the INEC there has been a general sense of ‘it’s been tough, but it’s getting better’.

Here are a few things we’ve learned from these pictures by Laura Hutton from Photocall Ireland:

1. There are protestors…

… but not nearly as many as last year.

2. Eamon Gilmore has a baton…

… and he isn’t afraid to use it if the members get rowdy.

3. Joan and Eamon are bessies

… and they’ve no idea what all the fuss was about in the first place.

4. Brendan Howlin isn’t afraid to poke fun at himself…

The Public Expenditure and Reform Minister said this morning: ”I have to tell the chair I’m here since this morning, but I’m hard to see, I know.”

5. Ruairí Quinn and Eamon share everything…

… even this lovely red rose which Ruairí gave the Tánaiste for his lapel. Awh.

6. The Tánaiste is a fan of Jim Larkin’s satchel…

… and likes to give it a good look at it, so he does.

Read: Labour conference hears call for Gilmore to resign over disability cuts

Gilmore: We’d be going into a second bailout without Labour in government