Artist Lilly Hughes, and her neighbour, Kitty Wheatley, both Renmore ladies, were mortified to be identified by the Galway Advertiser, in a pub, in town, of a Tuesday, before 11am.
“We’re here for Catherine Connolly, and we’re drinking coffee,” said Kitty, for the record, whose son-in-law lives on Fursey Road, the most presidential street in Shantalla.
Indeed there was a strong Shantalla element in Busker Browne’s gastropub on Tuesday morning, where almost 100 supporters of President Connolly met to toast her inauguration at Dublin Castle, displayed on the city centre bar’s big screen.
Owner Terry Sweeney carried a case of Prosecco. “Normally, we might do this for Race Week, or a wedding – rarely politics,” he admitted, nodding over to Connolly supporters streaming in, many sporting keffiyeh, campaign badges, green jerseys and scarves, full of anticipation for their winning candidate to receive the trappings of state.
Sisters Marian Spelman and Gina Spelman-Naughton grew-up in Shantalla, and share cousins with the Connollys. Trevor Sherry, who has lived in Shantalla for 20 years, voiced neighbourhood solidarity, but his wife, Sinéad Sherry, “born and bred Shantalla, and neighbours of the Connollys for years” warned all present not to mind him. “Sure he’s only married in from Newcastle Road,” she declared.
Familiar faces began to pitch up from Claddagh, a city neighbourhood also loyal to Connolly’s political project from her beginnings as a city councillor, to TD and now highest office in the land. “Don’t worry, she’ll be well turned out,” one woman declared, hanging her coat, as past presidents walked into St Patrick’s Hall, on screen. Mary Robinson and Michael D Higgins won cheers, while Mary McAleese’s sartorial choices were discussed, intently.
Patrick Phiri has been living in Galway for three years. He popped into Buskers before his shift at Boston Scientific, to congratulate fellow canvassers. “I knocked on doors, and I noticed freedom people have to freely air their views in public,” he said, noting that his native Zimbabwe introduced laws in 2023 curtailing democratic freedoms.
Historic win
Josh Ó Curraoin (20 ) is a journalism and Irish student at University of Galway. “I believe in many of [Connolly’s] positions, especially neutrality, and the Irish language,” he said.
Bernadette Colgan, Knocknacarra, said she had been out canvassing for the first time in her life for Connolly. “I watched her in the Dáil for years, then met her after a swim one day in Salthill. It is amazing to be here today – this is history.”
A group of ten tourists from Colorado called in to see what the fuss was about, when whooping began, Galway-schtyle, as Connolly appeared on screen, dressed in regal, peony purple. “Well done!” approved Jolina Borah of Colarado Springs.
As the new president was blessed by Rabbi Yoni Wieder, conversation bubbled about how President Connolly might receive an ambassador from Israel, and there were jeers when Micheál Martin, Pascal Donohoe and Bertie Ahern were on-screen. Former city councillor Colette Connolly, wearing a flowery headscarf, was applauded.
Sheila Garrity was convener of the presidential campaign in Galway. “I’ve canvassed for Catherine for 20 years, and there are people here who have done the same. But there’re also new people, like students, or activists from other political parties, who turned up when it counted, and all rolled their sleeves up. Now we can celebrate,” she told the Advertiser, as corks began to pop when RTÉ showed historic Shantalla footage .
Members of Healthcare Workers for Palestine were present, and Galway Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Jenny Roche, originally of Tuam, represented University of Galway’s Campus Anti Genocide Coalition. Mary Anne Wangali-Mullen campaigned for Michael D and Catherine C: “Many people had already made their minds up for Catherine before we knocked on doors – that was different,” she explained.
By-election
One of the 400 SIPTU delegates in town for the trade union’s annual meeting landed in, a Tipperary Sinn Féin member who requested anonymity: “We won more votes for Connolly out of Alan Kelly’s home box than Kelly did last election,” he claimed, with glee, somewhat against the grain of left unity on screen, as Social Democrat, Green Party, Labour, PBP and Sinn Féin leaders were filmed seated together in St Patrick’s Hall.
“It’s been joyful, yet exhausting” Garrity told supporters in a short speech. “We had a seat for Catherine, and we need that voice back in the Dáil,” she said, inviting all present to join a new group – Tonn na Clé – with a pre-Christmas event being organised by independent city councillor, Eibhlín Seoighthe. Garrity has a new job in Dublin City University, so ruled herself out of attempting to fill the Galway West vacancy.
As Connolly was handed the presidential seal of office, supporters began singing “Bella ciao, bella ciao, Catherine Connolleeeeey.”
Many stood for the Army brass band’s rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann, and a tear or two glistened as the presidential standard was hoisted to a 21-gun salute.
“That was decent, but let’s see what Shantalla can do when she’s ‘home’,” plotted Mick Gaughan, as plans began to be hatched.
