GLENCULLEN, Ireland (CP) - Paul Martin might face some tough election battles in Canada, but he would surely win hands down in the tiny Irish mountain village Glencullen.

The prime minister won some devoted new fans during his trip to Ireland on Tuesday by dropping into the local pub to take over as bartender. Martin slipped behind the beer taps at Johnnie Fox's to pour a few pints of Guinness - the thick black beer dear to Irish hearts.

He won cheers and rave reviews from locals more than happy to accept a free pint, even if he did spill a bit.

"It's not everyday a prime minister pours you a pint," said one lucky drinker clearly pleased with his good fortune.

But how did the real bartender rate Martin's performance?

"Not bad for 30 seconds training," he said.

Guinness marked the start and the end of Martin's visit to his ancestral homeland.

On Sunday night, he kicked off his trip by treating journalists to a meal and tipping back one or two pints himself.

He's off to Scotland early Wednesday for the G8 meeting.

On Tuesday, Martin met Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern to discuss trade, Northern Ireland and other issues.

He then attended a scholarship award ceremony for Irish students to study in Canada and toured a reconciliation centre devoted to peace in Northern Ireland which brings together Roman Catholic and Protestant teens.

It was Martin's second trip to Ireland in as many weeks; he was in the country last month for the Air India memorial.

The visit was really a stopover for the big G8 meeting, where Martin will sit down with leaders of the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia to discuss climate change and aid for Africa.