The Sinn Féin leader, Mary Lou McDonald, is in for a busy period. All party leaders are in a similar position, with just a month left until the local and European elections. But, Mary Lou McDonald’s agenda next weekend doesn’t involve campaigning in Ireland. Instead, she’s addressing another demographic that Sinn Féin deeply cares about.
She will be in Springfield, Massachusetts, next Saturday, speaking to the attendees of the John Boyle O’Reilly Club. This is one of the oldest Irish-American associations globally, created in 1880, and devoted to supporting Irish concerns.
McDonald’s Dublin based visit has prompted the JBO Club to spare no expense for their distinguished guest. A statement was put out earlier in the week on the Friends of the John Boyle O’Reilly Club’s Facebook page, canceling the upcoming Friday Club supper to ensure suitable planning for McDonald’s arrival. They are calling for assistance from members on the day.
As the Sinn Féin leader, Mary Lou McDonald, will be speaking on May 18, people from four states are expected to attend. The numbers could possibly rise to over 500, including dignitaries and specially invited guests. The club has listed numerous tasks to be executed, like setting up the stage and relocating furniture, preparing and selling hot dogs and burgers, providing mini baked delights for the morning, and appointing parking attendants. Also, they want someone to paint the metal shed door “green or grey”. Not to forget, children have been asked to wave small Irish and American flags, which should please McDonald.
This wouldn’t be common at home in Ireland, where abundance of adults are usually ready to wave large Irish flags at Sinn Féin members, though not always as a gesture of welcome.
The western Massachusetts club sees hosting the leader of Sinn Féin as a significant accomplishment. As quoted, “This is a special day for all the members, so let us enjoy and savour this moment as we are honoured to have such a special occasion happen here at our great club.” They’ve planned a full day, starting at 11am, followed by a barbecue and beer station, and opening the Pavilion Bar once the speeches are finished.
“The Bards will be offering a dose of Irish melodies at this complimentary gathering. Being unsurpassed in strictness, media rules pertaining to election campaigns are anxiously looked upon by radio and TV reporters who can’t wait for the voting period to end. Any broadcast involving even the slightest reference to a candidate mandates the show’s host to read the exhaustive list of competing individuals in the concerned constituency.
In the midst of overwhelming competitors in the European elections, it’s an uphill battle for unsettled presenters and producers to manage their contributors. This challenge is exacerbated when politicians constantly talk about potential candidates they’ve encountered during their domestic journeys.
Politicians seem to have a chronic inability to control this disposition. RTÉ has dispatched warnings to all the parties, urging them to caution their politicians to refrain from on-air promotion of candidates. Such rules apply universally to politicians, irrespective of their party affiliation or status. Over the following month, conditions for displaying or discussing candidates will be strictly regulated.
In addition, potential interviewees are restricted from engagement for the time being. A high-ranking politician is permitted to appear on camera, encircled by agreement-nodding local colleagues, providing they are not contesting in the election.
This rule proved to be problematic during the Taoiseach’s recent tour to the Corrin Mart in east Cork. The broadcaster’s cameraman had to ensure that the positive faces surrounding the Taoiseach either moved or risked being closely cropped out, leaving only the Taoiseach’s nose and mouth visible.
A Virgin Media cameraman requested Simon Harris to repeat an interview due to unintended re-entering of Noel O’Donovan, the local election candidate from Skibbereen for the party, during the initial conversation.
This is a grim turn of events for aspiring candidates everywhere, compelling them to retreat when cameras are present. On another note from the campaign trail, Minister for Expenditure Paschal Donohoe ran into Clare’s independent TD Michael McNamara last Thursday in Wicklow.”
Michael, engaging in an impressive European election campaign, is in the race for the Ireland South constituency. He encountered Paschal and John Mullins of Fine Gael, who are competitors in the same election, a fair distance from his home. In Greystones Dart station’s area, the groups inconspicuously hung around before promptly heading in different directions.
Simultaneously, Ireland’s Mr Universe, Leo Enright, is participating in Kildare’s local elections. His wife, Dr. Lorraine Benson, a candidate for the Greens, is receiving Leo’s support, particularly in handling phone calls and giving media guidance if required, despite her admirable independence.
Dr. Benson, an economist-cum-environmental scientist, is well-equipped for her first political venture. Her recent press release delves into the unsatisfactory condition of Co Kildare’s water due to lack of government intervention, something that has concerned Kildare locals for long.
Leo, besides canvassing, can provide insight on issues from China’s lunar ambitions to the Irish Seanad Éireann, enriching his shared knowledge on his campaign trail.
The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, attended the annual conference of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) in Croke Park, which produced some memorable photographs. During his trip, Stephen was presented with a warm token by the nursing professionals in attendance.
Sorry about that, but he was given quite the scolding, which was hardly a surprise. However, he did take pleasure in his second visit to Croke Park within a week. He previously attended last Saturday’s Heineken Cup semi-final between Leinster and Northampton on Jones’ Road, jesting with the nurses about lauding an official for the swift change of seats to Leinster blue, which he then had to clarify was simply humour as he always knew that Dublin team plays in blue at Croker.
The nurses didn’t exactly find this hilarious.
Returning to the photograph, captured by Sam Boal from the Collins Agency, it drew a variety of responses when exhibited around.
“It radiates a somewhat beatific aura, like a stained-glass image.”
“Isn’t that an outline of a toilet seat around his head?”
“Reminds me strongly of Nurse Ratched.”
The final remark is a bit overly critical.
If he belonged to a different party coalition he could resemble a Florence Nightingale – albeit a surprising one.
More likely, he’d appear akin to a Florence Night-in-A&E.
I should probably grab my (white) coat.
Moving on to the canteen etiquette.
This week, staff at the Leinster House restaurant displayed great cheerfulness even when they had to relocate the cutlery tray to be in sight of the cash register staff due to persistent cutlery pilferage.
Considering its location, you would have assumed that the most sought-after items would be knives – particularly the sharpest ones.
We heard that a repeat culprit was pursued out via the revolving doors and made to give up a stolen fork.
However, a note from the new Taoiseach certainly lifted their spirits.
It was a momentous day for Simon Harris and his family when he assumed his role as Taoiseach a month ago.
This week he wrote individual thank you notes to the food service staff, the bartenders, and the doormen, expressing his gratitude to Julie Lyons, Darren Brady, Alan Ruane and their teams for their hard work that day.
Harris requested Julie to convey his appreciation to the restaurant and canteen team which she did promptly by circulating a copy of the letter among them.
“When I realised you were overseeing my kin, I had full confidence their safety was assured,” he penned. “At the core of Leinster House, you are indispensable… Its smooth operation rests solely on you and your crew’s shoulders.”
He extended an invitation to the entire team to drop by the Taoiseach’s office for a personal appreciation.
Likewise, the bar manager Darren and head usher Alan were recipients of such letters.
Well done!
Etiquette comes at no expense, yet its value is immeasurable.”