Election vibes on Leo’s visit to south Mayo

We have been told that there is no chance of an early general election, but there was a real election vibe during Leo Varadkar’s visit to south Mayo.

When a Taoiseach arrives to this part of the country, it is usually to cut the ribbon at the opening of a project or to make an announcement of a sizeable investment. But on Thursday, Leo came with one arm as long as the other. He had nothing to announce. Instead, we were told, he had come to listen to communities.

His empty hands did not deter the people of Ballinrobe or Glencorrib, who gave him a hearty welcome. Musicians greeted him as he arrived at the Valk in Ballinrobe, where he met the Town Hall committee. As he made his way back onto the streets he was greeted with people wanting him to sign their football jerseys and hold their babies. 

It was not long before Leo was led from pillar to post, crossing the town’s main thoroughfare. Local councillor Michael Burke was leading the posse, with local Fine Gael TDs Alan Dillon and Michael Ring hanging on Leo’s coattails. Maria Walsh’s team were busily putting pics on her social-media feed.

Sashes and selfies

ON a visit to Vaughan’s Shoes, Leo could not help himself, reminding proprietor and former Mayo footballer Donie Vaughan of Dublin’s latest All-Ireland triumph.

On the way out, the Taoiseach paused to get a picture with a woman who was just as delighted to meet Michael Ring, who was even more delighted with her comment that Ring was ‘the best man in Ireland’. A little reminder to Leo about who is still the top dog amongst voters in the west.

This may not be an election campaign but it was choreographed like one. As we made our way down the street, who would just happen to be turning the corner but none other than Mayo Rose Kate Heneghan, who just happened to be wearing her Mayo Rose sash. What are the odds?

Well according to bookmakers, Kate is the favourite to win the Rose of Tralee and herself Leo and Maria Walsh, a past winner of Rose of Tralee, had a great chat on the street corner. Kate reminded Leo of how herself and her sister once got a selfie with him while Leo commented that a friend of his was going to be an escort in this year’s competition.

Before the tour of Ballinrobe wound down, there was a quick pitstop to McHugh’s cafe for refreshments and a few lattes, flat whites… and a cup of tea for Michael Ring.  

The mobs of Glencorrib

ON his arrival to Glencorrib, Leo was given a tour of the local church by parish priest Fr Vivian Loughrey before he was brought to the Sunny Days Community Childcare Centre. At the door, the youngsters waved flags and shouted ‘Mayo for Sam’ as Leo entered. When he asked in jest ‘What about Galway?’ he soon got his answer. ‘Nobody likes Galway’ was the sharp reply. This is border country after all; the rivalry with their bitter neighbours starts early in life.

A fine spread of goodies greeted Leo as he walked into the Glencorrib Community Centre, where he was shown plans for the development of the community pitch and the village enhancement scheme.

The whole of Glencorrib must have come out to meet the Taoiseach, and it was not long before he was running well behind schedule as he struggled to make his way through the crowds.

He might be adamant that a general election is a long way off, but the preseason election training has definitely kicked off in earnest.