The 'Brian Shrine' in the village of Rathangan, Co Kildare had taken something of a battering by the time inhabitants awoke yesterday morning.
The shrine, assembled over the past weeks in homage to Ireland's most famous air steward, disappeared under a sea of bodies as Davina McCall announced on Friday night what the bookies already knew - local resident Brian Dowling was the winner of Big Brother 2.
Shedding the sleepy label slapped on it by the media over the past eight weeks, Rathangan proceeded to have its biggest celebration since Ireland reached the quarter finals of the 1990 World Cup.
By lunchtime yesterday the streets were still virtually empty, as villagers nursed a collective hangover after partying until 6am. However at the Mill House pub, the unofficial headquarters of Brian's fan club over the past two months, arrangements were already being made for a homecoming party.
'We don't expect to see him for another three weeks or so, but when he arrives it will be even wilder than last night,' said postman Alan Hickey.
Brian, it seems, is as popular in his home town as he is with the British and Irish public. The 23-year-old worked for a number of businesses there before joining the airline Ryanair two years ago, and all have fond memories.
At one, the local chip shop, there was still a hangover rush on 'Brian burgers' yesterday afternoon, and the supermarket had posters of congratulation in its windows.
'It's not just because he was on television,' said friend and former colleague Kevin Lyster. 'When he was in the supermarket, he was on the checkouts and the queues would be a mile long because the housewives loved talking to him.'
Even locals struggle to name another famous person from Rathangan, so the village intends to take full advantage of its new-found fame. The school is already planning an annual 'Brian Prize' for its best pupil.
Most of the sightseers still pouring in yesterday were in agreement that Brian shouldn't stick with his stated aim of returning to work with Ryanair, but instead follow in the footsteps of his idol, television presenter Graham Norton.
'Talent like that shouldn't be wasted,' said publican Richard Townsend. 'TV stations are looking to sign him up and he should jump at it. The man's a born comedian.'
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