NOT so long ago, Mary Davis was the dark horse.

IF Gerald Griffin had his way, presidential candidate Mary Davis would become the third Mary to occupy Áras an Uachtaráin.

IT’S been interesting to hear the merits of democracy bandied about during the reality show that the race for the Áras has become.

TO talk to Michael D Higgins is to walk with giants.Within minutes he has compared himself to Picasso and name-dropped friends such as Yehudi Menuhin and Peter O’Toole.

Certainly, in the two decades since the two Marys took up the office, the chief significance of the Presidency has come to be seen much more explicitly in terms of the ways in which our Head of State embodies, represents and reflects core values that we want associated with Ireland.

THE Taoiseach returns today from Washington. At the top of his in-tray is next Tuesday’s ministerial reshuffle. This represents his last chance to refresh his Government.

THE Two Brians sat silently in the Dáil, heads down as if in prayer waiting for the fabled apparition: The Blessed Recovery.

I WISH to highlight the inaccuracy of Taoiseach Brian Cowen’s recent suggestion that our current financial difficulties are global in origin. This is a totally disingenuous attempt to shift the blame from his own gross mismanagement.

A TIGHT formation of dunlin rockets down the channel towards me, turns and disappears into thin air. Five seconds later and fifty metres away, they reappear as a sudden blink of light before turning and disappearing again.

THE Easter season unveiling of a milk chocolate sculpture of Jesus Christ, dubbed My Sweet Lord by its creator, has left a sour taste in the mouths of a Catholic group.

THERE are three first round games down for decision tonight in the Munster minor hurling championship and for the first time in the competition the losers will have a second chance.