One thing that contributed to the good attendance was that both hurling and football Railway Cup finals were played in a double header on La 'le Padraig. Ulster and Connaught contested the football final that year, the latter undoubtedly built on the great Galway team of the 1960s.
There probably wasn't a lot to do on 17/3 in those days.
There still isn't, unless you get a kick out of watching the Nepalese polka bands and Angolan massed choirs in the Immigrant Parade.
Nothing like a good old Nepalese Polka to get those Irish Toes a Tapping!!!