Gareth O'Callaghan: Why Ireland must protect the presidency from political vanity and empty celebrity

Ireland has had three transformative presidents since 1990 — will the next one uphold their legacy or fall short?

President Mary Robinson replies to allegations that she has smelly feet. On November 7, 1990 the people of Ireland voted and Mary Robinson became the first woman President of Ireland. Just weeks later, and ahead of her formal inauguration, Mrs Robinson paid a visit to Zig and Zag, Dustin, and Ray D’Arcy on The Den.

Sagacity is a powerful word. Former Fianna Fáil deputy leader Mary O’Rourke used it to describe Mary McAleese in 2011 as she bowed out of 14 years as president, and how as a nation we were richer for the humanity and the qualities she brought to the job. “I just think she overwhelmed us with her sagacity and know-how and the way she could carry it off,” O’Rourke said.

The only occasion I can recall its use before then was in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Sagacity is a virtue as rare as a red-winged Blackbird.