Tip O’Neill, the late Speaker of the US House of Representatives, was famously quoted saying that ‘all politics is local’, a saying which carries significant weight in rural Ireland. This means that neglecting local issues can lead to political repercussions.
This lesson was learnt by Dick Spring, the Labour leader, in 1987. Despite being the deputy prime minister in a coalition government, Spring barely managed to retain his seat by a slim margin of just four votes. This served as a wakeup call, after which he devoted more attention to the concerns of his constituents.
Adding a touch of glamour to politics is Gráinne Seoige, an accomplished broadcaster and celebrity figure, who declared her intent to run at Fianna Fáil’s Galway West selection convention in September. Despite stepping away from the height of her broadcasting career over a decade ago, Seoige continues to draw public interest.
However, the true measure of her political viability will not stem from her popularity or media coverage. Rather, she will need to prove her cognizance and application of O’Neill’s philosophy in her native Connemara.
Seoige’s first significant political challenge arose on a recent segment of Raidió na Gaeltachta’s Adhmhaidin. During the interview, she was questioned regarding the Government’s decision to allocate €107 million to the Gaeltacht regions and the Irish language – a decision that had faced considerable local backlash.
Seoige staunchly defended the funding, asserting that €107 million was a significant sum. When confronted with a contrary opinion from her party colleague Éamon Ó Cuív, whom she aims to succeed, Seoige acknowledged their divergent views on the issue without getting flustered. The interview was crucial and, although she emerged somewhat battered, she still managed to hold her own.
Seoige, age 50, hails from Cnoc, an Irish-speaking hamlet located just west of An Spidéal and is the firstborn of four siblings, comprised of her sister and two brothers. She bore a son, Conall, now aged 30, while studying at the University of Galway. On finishing her postgraduate studies in broadcasting, Seoige was the prominent news anchor during the 1998 launch of Telifís na Gaeilge.
She moved on to work as a newsreader for TV3, Sky News Ireland, and ITV, before joining RTÉ as a co-presenter of the Seoige show, alongside her younger sister, Síle. The show ran for three series before coming to an end. Her appearances on RTÉ began to dwindle over time, though she did host the Crimecall programme monthly for several years, and continues to have a presence on social media.
Previously wedded to ex-TV3 sports correspondent Stephen Cullinane, they split in 2010. In 2019, she tied the knot with a former rugby coach from South Africa, Leon Jordan. They had relocated to South Africa three years prior, where she founded a diamond venture. However, they returned to reside in Ireland following the Covid pandemic.
Albeit born and brought up in the Gaeltacht, with significant family ties from An Spidéal to Ros Muc, she has resided outside Connemara for the majority of her professional career. This has led to claims that she no longer possesses the same connection to the constituency or the language. This is unlike her running mate in the Fianna Fáil party, devoted city councillor John Connolly, another native speaker.
One close watcher of Galway’s politics pondered over her loyalty to the party over the constituency, highlighting that it’s a thin line she needs to learn to balance. An old colleague from the Irish-speaking media touted her communicative qualities but questioned whether they would suffice.
In Seoige’s circumstances, the notion that she would follow in Ó Cuiv’s footsteps, frequenting sheep marts at Maam Cross, attending multiple local gatherings, or being a staple at matches and pony shows seems unfathomable. Seoige and Alison Comyn, a journalist and news presenter, are both part of a paired ‘parachute candidate’ arrangement, set to represent Fianna Fáil in the forthcoming general elections. This move to nominate two high-profile yet politically inexperienced candidates is likely a strategic play, influenced by the triumph of former television host Cynthia Ní Mhurchú in Ireland South during the recent European elections.
The previous elections presented a heavy celebrity influence, with the likes of Maria Walsh, a past Rose of Tralee holder, earning re-election, and ex-RTÉ correspondent Ciarán Mullooly winning a seat. Meanwhile, Late-night radio show host, Niall Boylan, put on a commendable performance. Jockey Nina Carberry also managed to win a seat in the Midlands-North-West constituency, solely on her reputation, despite not participating in substantial political discussions.
Comyn finds amusement in the label of ‘celebrity candidate.’ While she freely admits she has been under the public eye as a broadcaster for platforms such as Sky News, RTÉ, BBC, and UTV, she stresses her strong ties to her hometown, Drogheda. “The distinction between popularity and celebrity is vast,” she asserts. Her local prominence, she argues, is a product of her thirty-year commitment to journalism, mostly on television, but not one that involves any glamorous gatherings or events.
Her journalistic career has seen her delve into numerous county council meetings and Drogheda Borough Council sessions, and joint policing committee meetings, all of which lack glamour. Comyn rejects the claim that she was planted at the last minute by Fianna Fáil. She affirms that unlike in the northern region of the country, where Senator Erin McGreehan is their candidate, the party didn’t have a representative in Drogheda.
Comyn, originating from a fifth-generation family in Drogheda, perceived the town’s lagging progress despite its physical growth, therefore, deciding that it was time for a change. She wanted Drogheda to be recognised as a city in its own right, and not just an offshoot of Dublin or Dundalk. Interestingly, the town hadn’t seen a Fianna Fáil TD in office for seven decades which added motivation to her cause.
She says, “Journalists occasionally transition to politics, a move that symbolises a clear endorsement of certain principles, but I had always taken pride in maintaining my neutrality comfortably. The essence of being a journalist is not letting personal political views cloud judgement or be known, and I’ve managed to do that well.”
Bridging the gap wasn’t easy, she had to take unpaid leave, as two roles couldn’t coexist. Despite the challenges, she felt it was a risk worth taking, given her deep-rooted connection with the community and the fact that the role naturally complemented her prior profession.
Traditionally, Irish politics has seen representation from celebrities who were majorly GAA stars. Instances of this phenomenon include the production of a complete team of 15, owing to journalist Conor McMorrow’s 2010 book on GAA stars turned TDs which included renowned figures such as Austin Stack, Jack Lynch, John Wilson, Jimmy Deenihan among others.
The trend is observed today as well, with the likes of Mayo TD and Minister of State Alan Dillon formerly a Mayo intercounty star, and Fine Gael’s candidate in Kerry, Billy O’Shea, who is a renowned ex-county player. The other prevalent source of well-known personalities has been broadcasting – for instance, Mairéad McGuinness transitioned from being a TV presenter to an EU commissioner post her 2004 election. George Lee, an RTÉ journalist, however, faced disappointments as a Fine Gael, complaining of being utilised mainly as a flamboyant distraction.
Candidates with pre-established recognition on a national scale often excel in European elections, given their nature as secondary elections with expansive constituencies. However, this is not a guaranteed formula for success.
Orla Guerin, a former reporter with RTÉ, experienced firsthand defeat in the 1990s when she vied for a Dublin constituency. Several high-profile ex-GAA competitors, such as Barney Rock from Dublin, Graham Geraghty from Meath, and Kerry’s famed Mick O’Connell, similarly lost out in their attempts to join the Dáil.
Gráinne Seoige also draws attention. One previous co-worker characterised her as tough, a trait that would potentially be praised if she was male. According to this source, Seoige is not just astute and determined, but she also harbours an evident interest in politics and enjoys the public eye. The source refuses to rule her out, pointing out her meticulous work ethic. The Dáil has welcomed all kinds of personalities over the years. If elected, they reckon she might well exceed people’s expectations with her efficacy.