Paul Hosford: Strange choices during Heather Humphreys' last-ever political campaign 

Fine Gael presidential candidate had just two engagements on Wednesday, in one of which she addressed a transition year class about a tricolour campaign she launched when they were aged about 5 or 6 

Fine Gael presidential candidate Heather Humphreys with transition students in her alma mater, St Aidan's Comprehensive School in Cootehill, Co Cavan. Picture: Niall Carson/PA

If she is to be believed, this could be the last week and a bit of campaigning that Heather Humphreys will ever do.

She has committed to serving one term as president if elected and has vowed to the Irish Examiner that there are no plans for a Dáil comeback should she not be. With that in mind, Wednesday could be her last political visit to her alma mater St Aidan’s Comprehensive School in Cootehill, Co Cavan.

Ms Humphreys has spoken at length throughout the campaign about how the multidenominational school shaped her journey, particularly growing up as a Protestant in the border region during the Troubles.

Strange choices around school visit

From the moment she lands, it is clear she has a deep grá for the school and what it does. Which makes the nature of the campaign event itself — one of just two Ms Humphreys did on Wednesday, after a day of private events on Tuesday, following the morning’s Newstalk debate — so strange.

Whereas one might expect a full rollout of the student body and a bit of a fuss, Ms Humphreys is instead greeted by transition year students and taken to a library where she addresses them on a plan she has that, if elected, would see the President’s office give flags to schools. 

It’s a nice idea and one which touches on a similar scheme she had when she was arts minister in 2016, but it’s hard to tell who this particular pitch is aimed at.

Speaking to a group of 15- and 16-year-olds, the former minister says they will remember that time of commemorations, when they were six or seven years of age, and promises to come back and answer questions if elected, before returning to the outside of the school to watch a freshly-purchased flag be raised, to tie in with the proposed scheme and answer questions from the media. 

A local reporter asks how she’s feeling in the final few days as “the underdog”.

“I can tell you one thing, I feel good. I feel very good, and I’m full of energy,” she says, her energy noticeably picking up before reverting to her campaign’s clear focus — that she is a pro-EU, pro-enterprise, centrist candidate.

Centre ground tactic may dull Humphreys's personality 

In the face of accusations that her campaign was turning negative, the strategy has pivoted to position Ms Humphreys as the sensible, centre ground, candidate. While that tactic may work and help Ms Humphreys close the gap on Catherine Connolly, one does wonder if it has the effect of dulling her personality at the same time.

That personality — Ms Humphreys is warmer and more engaging with people than her media profile sometimes shows — is allowed to come to the fore as she moves back into Cootehill town to meet the town’s Women’s Shed. 

There, she tells the women that the best talks are had around the table and that, should she be victorious next week, the women will be invited to the Phoenix Park.

“We’ve the bus booked,” one woman replies. Whether the bus gets on the road depends on the next nine days.