Jim Gavin and Heather Humphreys crisscross Kerry as voters lament limited presidential choice

As Jim Gavin and Heather Humphreys canvassed in Kerry, voters voiced frustration at a presidential race seen as lacking choice

And they're off: A bumper crowd at Listowel Races in Co Kerry on Friday which was visited by Jim Gavin and Heather Humphreys during their respective presidential election canvasses. Picture: Healy Racing

Three farmers innocently enjoying pints at Listowel yesterday afternoon either had their fingers firmly pressed in the bellybutton of the presidential election zeitgeist with their view of things, or they were not far off.

Sitting at their trackside perch, they were each asked who would win, who they would vote for, and what did they think.

What they had to say is what most people said when asked in a not-very-scientific piece of research carried out by this reporter.

While one was voting for “none of the above” and the other two were undecided, all three believed Mairead McGuinness — the former vice president of the European Parliament — would have won if she had stayed in the race.

High hopes: Fianna Fáil presidential candidate Jim Gavin tackled the climbing wall at Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre during his canvass around Tralee and Listowel in Kerry on Friday. Picture: Domnick Walsh

The former Fine Gael MEP, who had been tipped as the favourite to succeed Michael D Higgins in the election next month, quit due to health concerns. 

“She oozed knowledge, longevity, education, class,” said James Luttrell. “She has it all, and she was oozing all that.”

David Hicks, also from Co Laois, agreed “wholeheartedly”.

While concurring with his colleagues, Wexford man Stephen Kennelly said he wouldn’t be voting for any of the three candidates “because they are all government parties”.

However, he added: “What this election lacks is choice. While I would not have agreed with all of Maria Steen’s views, she would have spiced things up.”

Snap happy: Billy Horgan snaps a pic as Fianna Fáil presidential candidate Jim Gavin and education minister Norma Foley chat with local people during Mr Gavin's canvass around Kerry. Picture: Domnick Walsh 

Before I left to canvass the opinions of more people at the races, he said: “Make sure you mention the lack of choice.”

Earlier in the Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre, Jim Gavin was greeted by Fianna Fáil party faithful — most of whom gleefully admitted they would be voting for him.

Billy Kelleher, who had wanted to be the party candidate, barely got a mention. However, one of Mr Kelleher’s most ardent fans was one of the first to meet Mr Gavin as he strode confidently towards the entrance to the centre’s Lakeside Cafe.

Driving seat: Fine Gael presidential candidate Heather Humphreys takes the reins during her canvass around Co Kerry on Friday.

Mr Gavin didn’t linger long with her, and she then explained: “A lot of people, myself included, are very cross about what they did to Billy."

“The fact that HQ chose Mr Gavin instead was wrong.

“I believe it will split the vote and damage the party’s chances.”

As to her view on Mr Gavin, she said — lowering her voice as the candidate told other people how pleased he was to meet them too — “the jury’s still out on that one”.

Skilled job: Kerry South TD Michael Healy-Rae and craftsman Kevin Dowling from Sneem keep an eye on Fine Gael presidential candidate Heather Humphreys as she tries out her skill at wood-turning at Muckross House in Killarney, Co Kerry.

Heather Humphreys and Mr Gavin managed to either bump into each other or cross each other’s tracks about three times on their canvass through Kerry.

One was leaving and the other was entering a local radio station in Killarney.

Brewing up a storm: Margaret Brick Kissane supervises presidential election candidate Jim Gavin as he serves up a coffee in the Wetlands Lakeside Cafe in Tralee. Picture: Domnick Walsh

Later, they both ended up in a location a few yards away from each other in Tralee.

While they both went to Listowel, and were each greeted enthusiastically by punters there, their paths did not cross.

While Mr Gavin made coffee for the cameras earlier in the wetlands centre, paddled a boat, and climbed a climbing wall, Ms Humphreys put on a bet.

The view of the restaurant manager was that, while his coffee was good, Margaret Kissanne felt Mr Gavin might need to stick to his own day job.

As for Ms Humphreys’s bets, she wasn’t so successful either.

“Let’s hope I do better in the race to the Áras,” she said with a smile.