Is the man who would start a row in an empty room on the way back?

WHAT word best describes Michael McDowell during his political career – arrogant, intolerant, self-serving, brilliant, courageous, or exciting? They all applied to him at different times. Whether one liked him or loathed him, he left his mark on Irish politics.

Charlie Haughey was the great survivor, but Haughey never lost his seat in the Dáil. McDowell failed to retain his seat three different times. He was first elected to the Dáil in 1987 only to lose the seat two years later. He regained it in 1992, but lost it again in 1997, won it back in 2002 and lost it again in 2007.

After his last defeat, he clearly felt his political career was over. His departure was reminiscent of Richard Nixon’s loss in the race for governor of California in 1962 after he had already lost the presidency to John F Kennedy in 1960.