Heather Humphreys visits English Market and Ballincollig as presidential campaign rolls into Cork

Ms Humphreys commended the 'magnificent array of Irish-produced food' at the English Market during her Saturday visit to Leeside

Presidential candidate Heather Humphreys meets Fidelma Collins, grand niece of Michael Collins at a statute of Michael Collins on Grand Parade in Cork. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Yellow jackets bearing presidential candidate Heather Humphreys’ name weaved between bright flowers, olives, fresh fish and fresh bread, as their wearers canvassed potential voters in Cork’s English Market.

“Hi Heather, how are you?” stallholders said as the former TD and Minister stopped to admire their artisanal Irish produce and press the flesh.

Teenagers took selfies with Ms Humphreys and her entourage as cameras flashed and large TV camcorders filmed the canvas.

John Goggin was holding his son Sam, age 4, when they met Ms Humphreys.

“It’s great to see her,” Mr Goggin said “He [his son Sam] is at an age where he might remember this.

“I remember meeting Mary Robinson in Mallow when she was running for the presidency when I was a child, about six or seven.

Presidential candidate Heather Humphreys chatting with Irish Examiner reporter Liz Dunphy during her Cork walk about on Saturday. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

“So it’s exciting for him to be here today.” 

One longtime, card-carrying Fianna Fáil member, who asked not to be named, said she will renounce her party allegiance for the first time ever to vote for Ms Humphreys in the presidential election.

The woman, who asked not to be named, said that she likes Ms Humphreys personally.

And she believes it’s time to see a woman back in the Áras after 14 years.

“I've never voted for any other party in my life," she said.

But I'll change for Heather. It's a big deal to me because I'm very loyal to the party.

Rumblings that Jim Gavin’s selection could lead to the demise of Micheál Martin as Fianna Fáil leader may or may not ultimately hold water, she said.

“If Jim Gavin is elected, we'll all say he [Mr Martin] is wonderful. That's what it's down to,” she said.

Another Fianna Fáil supporter who had stopped to buy Wagu burgers from O’Mahony’s butchers said that although he’d stick to his party allegiances, he appreciated seeing Ms Humphreys out in Cork – a significant trek from her Monaghan home.

Áine, who asked for her surname not to be published, said that protecting and serving the institution of the president should be the most important focus of any candidate. But she has not heard the candidates discuss this in much detail so far.

“They talk about what they've done in other areas, but what they've done in the past isn't going to be exactly what they will be doing as president. And it's really important that they understand the constitution and understand the role of the president.

“We know that Michael D. [Higgins] has been doing it for the last 14 years and we know that he very much cares about what the government are doing and he keeps them on track.

“And it's very important that the next person to be president does that as well.” Catherine Connolly is currently likely to get her vote, but that could change, she said.

The televised presidential debates, with the first beginning on Monday, will likely guide undecided voters, depending on the three candidates’ performances, she said.

Her partner Kevin agreed.

“I think a lot of people like myself are going to be seeing what happens in the debates.

“It seems to be quite even in the polls at the moment, so it'll be interesting. I think a lot of people are just going to tune in and see what happens.” The tiny field of candidates – the smallest in 35 years – is disappointing, he said.

“Will the whole country be represented when there's only three candidates? Probably not,” he said.

Presidential candidate Heather Humphreys meets Dee Swinburn at Cork's English Market on Saturday. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Ms Humphreys commended the “magnificent array of Irish-produced food” at the English Market.

Promoting Irish food on the world market through trade missions is something she wants to focus on if elected president.

“I'd love to see more of that because when a President leads a trade mission, it brings it to another level,” she said.

Humphreys: 'I want to be a voice for unity'

“And as [a former] Minister for Business, I led many trade missions. I'm so filled with pride of what we do in this country that I want to tell more people and I want to open new doors and open new markets.

“We have such high quality [food here].” Although Cork is a long trek from her original Cavan-Monaghan constituency when she served as a TD and Minister, she said she felt welcome Leeside.

“My best friend of 47 years is from Cork city originally, and I have been here on many, many occasions. I know all her family who live in Cork and I've often been to Bantry on holidays and I have been out in Kealkill and I've been in many different parts of Cork and it's lovely to be back here again.” 

People had been “very supportive and very, very welcoming” during Saturday’s canvas, she said.

“I was chatting to women and they were asking me what was I going to do as President. So I was explaining to them that I want to see a country that totally supports and recognises community, recognises the volunteers and the wonderful work they do."

While visiting Ballincollig on Saturday, she met the Tidy Town group, which won the All-Ireland, and to whom she awarded the Tidy Town award for 2024.

“It is lovely to go back. And I did promise them that if I do become president I will come back to recognise that wonderful achievement that is winning the All-Ireland Tidy Towns,” she said.

Ms Humphreys also spoke about unity and divisiveness in society and how she wants to bring people together.

“I want to be a voice for unity,” she said.

Opportunity would be another focus of her presidency, she said.

“I want every young person to have […] the opportunity to reach their full potential," she said.

Ms Humphreys is competing for Fine Gael against Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin and the unified left wing parties’ Catherine Connolly for the presidency.