As the world’s biggest superstar, Taylor Swift can be forgiven for occasionally wanting to escape the attention of the legions of loyal fans desperate to catch a glimpse of her.

Now we can reveal how she escapes those prying eyes – she climbs into a massive packing case.

And it works: where she has been staying during in recent weeks has remained a mystery throughout, with only unsubstantiated rumours of her residences. One tour insider said: ‘It is unheard of for a musician to hide where they are staying during such a high-profile tour.

‘But Taylor likes to keep her movements a secret and keep that part of her life away from the world. And she has found the perfect way – she hides in a case. She is seen when she wants to be seen and that’s about it.’

Fans previously spotted her using a similar technique on tour in Texas, when she was wheeled into the arena and into the backstage area in an oversized cleaners’ cart. And when she’s not jetting around in her $50million Dassault Falcon 7X jet, she opts for less conspicuous transport, driving an unremarkable old Nissan Qashqai.

A source close to Ms Swift, now dating American footballer Travis Kelce, said: ‘She had this really ordinary car. While she could take a limousine everywhere, she knew that a little Nissan wouldn’t attract anyone’s attention. It’s one of the reasons she was barely ever seen while she lived in the UK.’

Such caution is well advised, with Dublin this weekend in the midst of a security operation of the scale usually reserved for a US presidential visit or St Patrick’s Day.

With well over than half a million Taylor Swift fans, Dublin Pride revellers and GAA fans, gardaí were out in full force in the capital this weekend.

By the time the US megastar exits stage left tonight, some 145,000 fans will have witnessed the world’s first billionaire musician perform at three sell-out shows at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.

Meanwhile, further crowds estimated between 400,000 and 500,000 also thronged into Dublin to attend a host of other events music and sporting events.

Pubs and restaurants were packed to capacity in the capital this weekend as the hospitality sector made the most of the massive crowds and carnival atmosphere in the city.

Retailers admitted they had no idea how much extra the welcome mini boom would add to their tills. But according to the Dublin Town Traders’ group, the unprecedented number of events attracting up to 500,000 people to the city centre will be more than an economic boost.

Dublin Town CEO Richard Guiney told the Irish Mail on Sunday: ‘I think this weekend is a way for Dublin to be on the international stage. People came from all over the world and the series of events show that Dublin is an inclusive city where everyone is made feel welcome.’

‘The economy benefit is part of it, but it shows that Dublin can host major events.’ Mr Guiney stressed: ‘There is a lot the people of Dublin can be proud of.’

And he added: ‘I think this weekend will restore Dubliners’ pride back in their city. With everyone working together we can achieve that. Dubliners want that.’

Aside from the trio of Taylor Swift concerts, thousands more music fans headed to Malahide Castle to see country star Shania Twain, attended the Saw Doctors gig at Fairview Park, went to the Trinity College summer festival of music headlined by Villagers and Air, while legions of younger fans made their way to Marlay Park on Dublin’s south side for the Longitude festival.

Meanwhile, thousands of GAA supporters headed to Croke Park for the first of the quarter-final football clashes between Armagh and Roscommon and Dublin versus Galway last night.

And as many again will return to the GAA mecca for today’s All-Ireland semi-final qualifiers between Donegal and Louth and Kerry and Derry. And as Swifties strolled around the streets of the capital in the hope of snagging a ticket for her sell-out concerts, thousands of people donned their most colourful costumes to celebrate Dublin’s 50th Pride parade.

Among those who attended both the Pride Parade and the Taylor Swift concert yesterday was Dublin’s First Citizen, Lord Mayor James Geoghegan.

The Dublin Bay South general election candidate and his wife Claire were lucky enough to be able to buy tickets when they went on sale this time last year.

According to the 39-year-old father-of-three, Taylor Swift’s arrival in the capital is a much-needed economic and cultural boost to the city.

He said: ‘It’s not that long ago since people were saying that the big artists were no longer coming to Dublin but this weekend we had Taylor Swift – the biggest artist on the planet. ‘It was one of Dublin’s biggest Saturdays and that was before the Dubs played in Croke Park.’

‘Dublin was showcased at its finest and the various events represented a multi-euro boost for traders in the city. ‘It may have been the biggest ever profitable event for businesses and restaurants since Christmas,’ he said.

Mr Geoghegan said he hopes the weekend will be one that we will all remember. ‘My wife Claire is a Taylor Swift fan and we are going on Saturday. I have also marched in the Dublin Pride parade since I was first elected to Dublin City Council.’

Asked why he believes Swift has been so successful, Dublin’s First Citizen replied: ‘What we can all learn from Taylor Swift is to be kinder. She is synonymous with positivity. She is a real inspiration and a very empowering figure.’

‘She never seems to put a foot wrong… she is a bright light in the face of all [that negativity] and she promotes good values.’

And the Dublin Lord Mayor is not the only self-confessed ‘Swiftie’.

Public Expenditure Minister Pascal Donohoe is a devotee, while Taoiseach Simon Harris has also attempted to highlight her links to his home town.

‘We’re delighted to have her here in Ireland but she did take a pebble from the beach at Greystones and she sings about it in Sweet Nothings,’ he said, underlining his intimate knowledge of the megastar’s lyrical waxing.

‘But Greystones being my home town, we’re very pleased that Taylor enjoys Wicklow. But she does ponder in the song: ‘Does the pebble ever miss Wicklow?’’

And perhaps with a nod towards the next election, he added: ‘She’s very welcome back to County Wicklow at any time. ‘I’m not sure whether she’ll have time to visit this time,’ Mr Harris said.

Up to 1,000 gardaí patrolled the streets of the capital this weekend to police what Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has classed as an ‘extraordinary event’.

A huge policing operation – similar to the one deployed when US President Joe Biden visited Ireland last year, and when the Europa League Final took place in May, was in effect over the course of the weekend.