Candidates plough through acres of potential votes
It was the perfect place for presidential candidates to get stuck in, roll up their sleeves and muck about while pressing the flesh.
There were only a few nerves in the Kildare air yesterday as the five nominated candidates — so far — made their walkabouts at the ploughing championships.
With the emergence of Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness in the race, most attention zoned in on whether the North’s “on loan” deputy first minister would face a barrage of abuse over his republican past.
Instead, the former IRA commander went on the attack himself, hitting out at “West Brit” elements in the media and political parties allegedly vying against his campaign.
And while stomping the packed grounds, none of the other four candidates really came across each other’s paths or fired off attacks against rivals.
All eyes were glued on whether outgoing President Mary McAleese would be forced into an uncomfortable handshake with the Áras competitors at the opening ceremony. But again, this never transpired. Indeed, a striking distinction between the presidential hopefuls and Mrs McAleese was observed by one couple walking past the media tents.
“They’re all so small this time around,” quipped one lady to her partner while edging past Labour’s Michael D Higgins, who was in full flight, elaborating on the need to protect the Constitution.
Elsewhere, Fine Gael’s Gay Mitchell enjoyed a healthy number of approaches from supporters outside a dairy tent. But the Dubliner, while getting a strong sign of rural support in a recent snapshot poll, may still have some way to go before turning around voters outside the capital.
Entering the Macra na Feirme tent, he was greeted by several “good luck to ya” comments before one attendant outside admitted under his breath, “he doesn’t stand a chance”.
But the MEP attracted an interested young crowd inside, where he pledged to address concerns about suicide in Ireland if elected to the Áras.
And there were welly-throwing competitions and all for the Áras five, where even Independent candidate Mary Davis, dressed in a bright pink coat, did her best to get a boot stuck into the day’s events.
All in all it was a warm weather day for attendees and Áras candidates alike, with only Mrs McAleese producing any near tearful moment when she declared she would be sad leaving her position after the election.
