The often echoed phrase, alluded by the deceased US House of Representatives speaker, Tip O’Neill, that “all politics is local”, rings true in rural Ireland, where neglecting the needs of your immediate local community can spell disaster.
This reality was sharply felt in 1987 by Dick Spring, the then Labour leader and tánaiste in the outgoing coalition government, who narrowly secured his seat by a mere four votes. Spring surprisingly learned from this situation, paying more attention to his constituents henceforth.
The landscape of local politics saw a jolt when popular figure, Gráinne Seoige, declared her intentions to vie for Fianna Fáil’s nomination in Galway West this September. Despite being away from her pinnacle days at RTÉ with her own afternoon show, Seoige, a renowned broadcaster, has managed to stay relevant as a celebrity politician.
Her electability however, would rest less on her fame, published profiles, or name recognition. More importantly, she must exhibit an intimate understanding of O’Neill’s political motto within her home region of Connemara.
Last Tuesday marked Seoige’s initial major test of this crucial principle on Raidió na Gaeltachta’s Adhmhaidin. The radio presenter, Gormfhlaith Ní Thuairisg, closely questioned her on the government’s €107 million budget allocation to the State’s Gaeltachta territories and the Irish language, a subject of contention among locals.
Seoige defended the allocation vigorously, believing that €107 million was a substantial sum. When her party colleague Éamon Ó Cuív’s dissatisfaction with the allocation was mentioned, she diplomatically stated that their opinions varied on the subject. Although she made it through this crucial interview, she did encounter some difficulties.
Seoige, 50, hails from the small Gaelic town of Cnoc, situated a few kilometres west of An Spidéal. Born as the first child in a family of four, she has a sister and a pair of brothers. Seoige was studying at the University of Galway when her son, Conall, now 30, was born. She pursued a postgraduate degree in broadcasting, then anchored the news on Telifís na Gaeilge during its debut in 1998.
Later, her career witnessed her reporting news for TV3, Sky News Ireland, and ITV, before she joined RTÉ to co-host the Seoige show, alongside her younger sister, Síle. The show signed off after its third series. Her on-screen time on RTÉ lessened over the years – she hosted their Crimecall series periodically. However, she has continued to stay active on various social media platforms.
She was once wedded to Stephen Cullinane, a previous sports reporter for TV3, but they split up in 2010. In 2019, she tied the knot with an ex-rugby coach from South Africa, Leon Jordan. Prior to that, they had relocated to South Africa where Seoige had launched a diamond enterprise. They moved back to Ireland in the wake of the Covid pandemic.
Although rooted in the Gaeltacht and having deep family ties to An Spidéal and Ros Muc, Seoige has lived outside of Connemara for the majority of her career. According to some, her connection to the region and the language is not as strong as it once was, especially when compared to her Fianna Fáil running mate, City Councillor John Connolly, another native speaker.
A spectator of Galway politics added, “What stood out from her interview on RnaG was that Ó Cuív would not have upheld the budget allocation, maintaining a dual allegiance to both Fianna Fáil and the local region.
Seoige, as a newcomer, appears to be standing firm with the party’s stance. However, she needs to understand that her loyalty should extend to her local area as well.”
A previous co-worker in the Irish-language media sphere spoke highly of Seoige’s communication skills but questioned whether they would suffice.
“I struggle to envision her partaking in the activities Ó Cuiv engages in, like attending the sheep marts in Maam Cross or the frequent local assemblies, let alone all sports events and horse shows.”
Seoige is one of two “parachute candidates” running in the general election in support of Fianna Fáil. Journalist and news anchor Alison Comyn has also been included on the party ticket in Louth.
Fianna Fáil’s strategy to field two profiled but politically inexperienced candidates could have potentially been motivated by the past successes of Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, a former television host who triumphed in Ireland South’s European elections in June. Celebrity figures such as former Rose of Tralee winner Maria Walsh, former RTÉ reporter Ciarán Mullooly, and radio host Niall Boylan, played a significant role in these elections.
Moreover, celebrated jockey Nina Carberry won her seat in the Midlands-North-West constituency through her well-recognised name alone, despite a notable lack of extensive interview appearances during her campaign.
Comyn finds being labeled as a “celebrity candidate” faintly amusing. Yes, she’s had a successful broadcasting career with widely recognised networks like Sky News, RTÉ, BBC, and UTV, but she remains rooted in her hometown of Drogheda.
“There’s a significant contrast between celebrity status and recognition,” claims Comyn. “My recognition comes from my decades-long career as a diligent journalist, whether on television or not, doesn’t necessarily equate to living in the world of glitz and glamour.
She added that her extensive experience includes covering scores of local and county council assemblies, nothing about which can be deemed luxurious.
In her defense, Comyn maintains she was selected rather than dropped as a candidate, stating Fianna Fáil lacked a candidate in Drogheda. This is unlike the situation in the more northern regions of the county where Senator Erin McGreehan is contesting.
Comyn, a proud journalist, has always placed importance on impartiality, stating that the indicator of a good journalist is if their political affiliations remain unknown. Recently, she chose to take a different path and step into the political arena, a decision held by previous journalists occasionally.
Comyn, who comes from a family that has lived in Drogheda for five generations, felt the town was both growing in size but regressing in terms of development. Her aspiration is for Drogheda to exist as an independent city and not a mere satellite of either Dublin or Dundalk. The fact that Drogheda has not seen a Fianna Fáil TD in office for seven decades served as an additional motive.
Despite the risk, she was compelled to take an unpaid leave from her job because occupying the roles of a journalist and a political candidate simultaneously wasn’t feasible. She is optimistic about the risk, believing her bonds with the community make the transition more organic.
Prominent candidates in Irish politics often trace their roots back to the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). Conor McMorrow, a journalist, published a book in 2010 highlighting GAA personalities who transitioned into politics. His list comprised Austin Stack, a celebrated Kerry footballer of 1916, Jack Lynch, a Taoiseach and renowned All-Ireland football and hurling medalist representing Cork, and John Wilson, who was part of the Cavan winning teams of the All-Ireland championships in 1947 and 1948 and later served as a tánaiste. Others in McMorrow’s list were ministers like Jimmy Deenihan, a recipient of five All-Ireland medals.
The trend continues even today. Recognition of Mayo TD and Minister of State Alan Dillon, formerly an intercounty star, and Billy O’Shea, a Kerry candidate representing Fine Gael, as a former popular county player, supports this observation.
The field of broadcasting has also produced political figures. The television host turned EU commissioner, Mairéad McGuinness, won the elections in 2004. Similarly, George Lee, an RTÉ journalist, won the Dublin South by-election resoundingly in 2009 while representing Fine Gael. However, he resigned within a year, expressing his unsatisfied expectations and accusing Fine Gael of using him only for his popularity.
Candidates with established fame or recognition – so called ‘parachute candidates’ – often fare well in European elections. This can be attributed to the fact that these are second-tier elections spanning large areas, making national fame a crucial factor, although it’s not a guaranteed formula.
Looking back at the 1990s, Orla Guerin, a previous correspondent for RTÉ, did not succeed in securing the Dublin constituency. Other public figures that include GAA stars such as Barney Rock from Dublin, Meath’s Graham Geraghty, and the renowned Mick O’Connell from Kerry, encountered the same fate when aspiring to the Dáil.
As for Gráinne Seoige, the observation of a former colleague offers a perspective: “Impressions of Gráinne’s toughness might be perceived differently were she male. I perceived her as intelligent, ambitious, politically inclined, and comfortable in the public glare. Never underestimate her. She is a diligent worker. If she secures election to the Dáil, she might be a refreshing surprise in terms of capability.”
In regard to general elections, timing plays a decisive role.