Well thank God that is over. The presidential campaign. I remember as a youngster being quite nerdy in that I was big into politics even in primary school. I have vague memories of the three elections in 1981-92 and getting a pat on the head from the late Tomas MacGiolla as he campaigned in Dublin West where I grew up.

Jim Mitchell, Liam Lawlor and Brian Lenihan Sr were other big hitters who ran in that constituency and whom I remember canvassing back in the day, all gone to their eternal reward. I remember being excited waiting for the Haughey/Fitzgerald TV debates. Yes I did say nerdy. Most occupants of the fourth estate will appreciate that.

Another politician who passed away last week was Seymour Crawford. I knew him from my Northern Sound Radio days. Late on the night of the count in the 1997 general election, Seymour reached the quota and filled the third seat. The hall was all but empty. Nevertheless we had stayed on the air till the last count and I interviewed him in the dead of night not knowing if anybody was still listening. But there was one, his elderly mother who was blind and had no other way of knowing if he was elected, in these embryonic mobile phone days, until it was announced on the radio. He spoke to her across the airwaves: “Mother, I got elected so you can go to bed now and I’ll be home soon.”

Since the three elections in the early 80s there have been eight general elections and four presidential elections. I don’t remember any of them to be as bizarre as the latest run for the park.

Earlier that day, I linked up Albert Reynolds, Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness for a three-way radio interview. Adams and McGuinness were at the count centre with me in Cootehill while Reynolds was in Longford. The Sinn Féin pair were excited following the election and topping of the poll of Caoimhghín O’Cáolain and Reynolds came on to congratulate them. This was around the time of sensitive peace talks but it was actually the first time all three ever appeared together in a radio interview which Reynolds acknowledged live on air. I broadcast non-stop for over 15 hours that day, I was like a child at the Toy Show.

Since the three elections in the early 80s there have been eight general elections and four presidential elections. I don’t remember any of them to be as bizarre as the latest run for the park. Had it to do with the fact that there were only two politicians in the field? Of course it was. The two candidates with experience of serving in office were the two outstanding in anotherwise damp squib of a campaign.

Say what you like about politicians, but if anything it proved that not everybody is suited to it. In previous presidential elections, those without a political background also got badly stuck. Grouches complain about what politicians are paid and the perks they get. But how else do you attract people to sacrifice their careers for an unsure and thankless job as a TD? What we were subjected to in the form of this presidential election including the farcical process of seeking the support of local councils should make cynical hurlers on the ditch think twice before they scoff about politicians. It’s obviously not as easy as it looks.

One for the road

I appreciate the dangers of alcohol and the chaos it causes for some people and their families. But listening to some anti-drink campaigners and reformed alcoholics, you’d think only Irish people drink. Have they ever been in a pub or nightclub abroad? Or have they ever been in a Dublin city centre pub like I was last week which was full of tourists all drinking to beat the band? We do knock ourselves a bit too much in this regard.