Presidential hopeful, Jim Gavin visits Carlow 

Presidential candidate, Jim Gavin paid a busy visit to County Carlow yesterday, Thursday when he met everyone from school goers to farmers, members of the community and, of course, footballers!

Fianna Fáil’s great hope for Áras an Uachtaráin managed to visit two schools, a community group, a GAA club and a well-being fair for farmers.

First stop in the whistle-stop tour of County Carlow was Tyndall College where he was warmly greeted by principal Gerry McGill and a group of Meitheal leaders. After an enthusiastic reception from students and teachers, Mr Gavin took to the stage where he addressed the young people about his plans for the presidency, followed by a question and answer session.

From there, the Fianna Fáil entourage went to St Leo’s College where principal Niamh Broderick was ready to greet him, along Politics and Society students and representatives from their CSPE class.

In a nod to his success as a manager of the Dublin football team, teacher Vivien O’Neill caused a stir by donning a dual Dublin/Carlow football jersey!

Mr Gavin’s visit to the county’s largest secondary school came about after he was personally invited to visit by the CSPE and so far, he’s the only one who has taken up the offer.

Next stop was a call into Bosom Buddies Women’s Shed in St Mary’s Community Centre, Haymarket, Carlow. There he had a great chat with the women as well as getting a chance to meet Fianna Fáil party members who were keen to shake hands and wish him well.

Mr Gavin then travelled out to the Fighting Cocks GFC where he was met by a huge gathering of youngsters and their parents, even though the weather conditions were unstable!

He was presented with a book about the history of the club as well as a Fighting Cocks jersey which he immediately put on! He was suitably attired, then, for a quick training session with some of the youngsters there.

Mr Gavin’s final stop was a chance for him to meet local farmers at a health and well being event in Tullow Mart, organised by Carlow County Council. There, the Dublin native met many agricultural workers while he got a health check up, got his blood pressure taken and had a go on an assimilated tractor! Throughout the day, he was accompanied by various Fianna Fáil councillors as well as Minister of State, Jennifer Murnane O’Connr and MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú.

“He had a positive and enjoyable day. With the students, he spoke about ambition and energy, and how he’d bring positivity to the presidency. He had a great day in Carlow,” said Minister of State, Murnane O’Connor.