There was always an element of rock-stardom about the Galway West constituency. Home to some of the biggest hitters in Irish politics over many decades, the election count always attracted a certain amount of national interest. Something for the national hacks to get their teeth into.
For the forthcoming election, it will be no different. The numerous resignations and changes mean that the eyes of the country will scan the various constituencies, but invariably many will fall on Galway West, taking more than a passing interest in who is standing there, and how one candidate in particular will fare.
This week I met that candidate for coffee, cookies, and a chat in the lobby of The Hardiman and right from the off, one can see why Fianna Fail snapped up her signature once it was apparent she was keen to enter politics.
Gráinne Seoige is one of the most recognisable people in the country. As soon as she comes through the door, she is the centre of attention. Three decades in the public eye means she wears the attention with ease, glides through each interaction with interest and engagement.
Marvels when she sees the hidden secret door at the rear of the lobby and wonders what lies beyond. The curious nature of the inquisitor not lost on the Galwaywoman who became the face of the various groundbreaking media start-ups in which she was employed since 1996 and she lit up the screens on TnaG. (Now tg4 )
Another secret door looms soon in the form of the election. What lies beyond for Gráinne will be one of the stories of an election that will see about thirty new TDs in Dáil Eireann.
When we speak, it has been ten days since she was selected alongside Cllr John Connolly on Fianna Fail's ticket in Galway West; both will aim to fill the O Cuiv-shaped hole in the constituency created by the decision of the long-serving Cornamona man to stand down after a lifetime in politics.
“Eamon is incredible, and as I travelled around the last number of weeks now, meeting delegates, the way they speak about him, it's reverential,” she says. “It really is about what he's achieved and what he did for people and his relationship with people, I think he has set an incredibly high bar and his legacy will be held for a very long time.”
A hard act to follow?
“Eamon is Eamon and I am me, and we're very different generations, different sex, different in many, many ways. So I won't be another version of him. I'll be myself, and that's all I can be,” she adds.
Arrival
It seems strange to talk about her ‘arrival’ in Galway West, because herself and her husband Leon have been back in Spiddal for some years now; and even when Gráinne was working for Sky and ITV in London, and after that living in South Africa, she was always the quintessential ‘Galway Girl.’ The face on Up For The Match, the subject of Living With Lucy.
Her move into politics caught a lot of people off guard, not least herself, but she is quick to dismiss any allegations that she has been ‘parachuted’ in.
“It’s been put to me that I'm a parachute candidate. A great label. You can imagine me standing there with my goggles, leaning out of the plane, about to jump down to Galway. The only problem is, I'm from Galway, so I don't believe the parachuting thing really sticks or lands with me. This is my home.
“And also, I think there's more than one way to become a TD. You don't have to be a councillor to be a TD and there are many people who come from all walks of life. And actually it's good bringing different experience,” she adds.
“There are plenty of wonderful councillors who have come through and give an amazing service and their experience is standing to them. I just think that there's a place for everybody, and that's actually a sign of a political establishment that's comfortable with itself, that isn't looking down its nose on one person's sort of experience and placing another above it.
“I think there is space for everybody at the table. And having more opinions, more diverse opinions, is actually good. It makes you stronger.”
I ask her if people have ever had a chance to know her true personality given that she was always restricted by the roles she had; anchoring, reading, presenting. Perhaps it was on that Living With Lucy show, where viewers saw her driving along a South African motorway, and talking long-distance to her mom Philomena on the phone that the unscripted Gráinne was unveiled.
“Maybe this is all part of my mother’s grand plan to get me back home,” she laughs, adding that her dad and retired garda Mairtin has been driving her up boreens and lanes to meet the delegates over the past while; Meanwhile Philomena has the dinner in the oven and is minding the dog as canvassing gets underway.
And a snack in the Tupperware to keep her going as she sets off on the latest instalment of what has already been a phenomenal life.
It was from Mairtin and childcare provider Philomena that she got her first sense of what it will be like to be in politics, to expect the knock on the door, the call for help that comes with the political territory these days.
“I was reared in a house where people came to the door morning, noon and night, looking for my father to help. And, you know, in the 80s and the 90s, in the early 2000s before he retired, there wasn't as much social working and psychology around it. The gardai, particularly those like my Dad, who was so embedded in the community, performed a role that was like bits and pieces of other roles, advice and support like that. So I was used to that in our house.
“So even if my father wasn't there, I would take details from people and sit with them for a little while. And that's part of what my upbringing was. My father always had a kind of pastoral role, and I see that as being a part of being a TD as well if I'm lucky enough to become one. People's problems are their problems, and you have to meet them where they're at and when they have them.”
Gráinne is aware that there has been an underlying commentary about her transition into politics, but she meets it head on.
“There is a little bit of that so far, along the lines of ‘what makes you think that you can do this’ but I’ve had that all my career. What makes you think a Connemara woman can read the news on Sky in London? I've had that all my life. It is a particular hoop that I think women have to jump through, so I'll just jump it and get on with it.”
She added that running in the local elections was not possible because she had work commitments with Virgin Media, doing Ireland AM and the bilingual dating show Grá Ar An Trá which she filmed in May and June.
She acknowledges that it remains to be seen how the station will schedule that during the imminent election campaign as there are strict guidelines about candidates who work in media having access to that added publicity, but she is confident that Virgin Media will make the right decision.
Planning reform
In terms of policy, she is vocal on the need for reform of the planning laws to enable Gaeltacht residents to be able to live in their own areas and prolong the culture of the Irish language. She also believes that the lived lives of Gaeltacht residents and island residents need to be served by people who understand the constraints in these areas. Interestingly, (watch this space ) she also believes that any Minister for the Gaeltacht should have as a prerequisite a fluency in the language.
As regards the Galway Ring Rroad, she believes it has to be built and that all other public transport options can feed off it to create the sort of integrated transport system Galway needs.
Used to being in the public eye for more than a generation now, Gráinne is aware of the potential of online abuse from celebrity, even more so from political life.
“Well, I'm seeing it already, sexism, misogyny, a complete misunderstanding of who I am. But you know, usually then you look at the handles first, as I call them, first name, loads of numbers, and then it's zero followers.
"I don't believe my skin is strictly thick. You know, I'm still a human and a person, and things can hurt my feelings. But when it's an anonymous person who doesn't even have a picture of themselves, just an avatar.
“You know it’s not real and it's not coming from any place of good, and that is a factor in all political spheres. People being abusive. It's just a fact of life. I wish it wasn't so, but it is.
“And as more women experience it, then more women will talk about it. I think it's gathering momentum now. It is something that I'd like to deal with if there's any chance that I can have an influence in it,” she said, adding that she has had a strong response from women since the announcement of her candidacy.
Her work with the NBCRI in supporting breast cancer research and in advocating for more awareness of the menopause is well documented and appreciated.
"Women are coming to me, and wishing me well and that really warms my heart, because they are very special to me in terms of issues, in terms of Galway, in terms of the election going forward, so to have the backing of women as someone who can advocate for their experiences is important to me.”
Leon is also excited by the forthcoming campaign and is very at home in the west.
“I remember when we were living in Navan because he was coaching there. We would come to Galway and walk down Shop Street. And more people would say “howya Leon than say hello to me, because he used to coach Corinthians and Buskers was his hangout and he knew loads of people.”
And so to the election. Not giving away any possible dates, she is ready for the off. Herself and John Connolly will surely take at least one seat for Fianna Fail. A second is a possibility given the limelight that will be on the race and their candidacy.
Gráinne is good company, personable and if elected, could go on to do a job for Galway. Her many attributes and experiences at home and abroad are rare in a new politician and while she admits there are learnings to be made in the great game of politics, she is excited about being part of the race for the biggest Dáil change in a few generations.
And with that, she was off into the Galway sunshine. The months ahead full of new possibilities.
