Gareth Sheridan’s arrival shakes up otherwise dull presidential campaign

Newcomer Gareth Sheridan has sparked rare excitement in a presidential race slowed by cost concerns, short campaign timelines, and strategy doubts

Gareth Sheridan at the Tullamore Show on Sunday with his wife Heidi and daughter Roe after he officially confirmed his intention to contest the forthcoming presidential election. Picture: Alf Harvey

The arrival of a new and unknown candidate in the presidential election has, for a brief moment, ignited what has been an unmercifully dull race.

The high level of coverage garnered by businessman Gareth Sheridan came from a combination of his newness to the public stage, his age and, if we're being frank, a media which wants the race to kick off while it stubbornly refuses.