Independent presidential candidate David Norris was on the campaign trail in Kilkenny city on Monday this week, where he met an overwhelmingly positive reception from locals.
However, by Thursday this week, support for Senator Norris has drastically dwindled in the most recent poll carried out by the Irish Times.
David Norris has seen his support drop by 14 points to just 11 per cent.
However earlier this week, Senator Norris’ energy and enthusiasm remained unabated as he greeted local business owners and pedestrians along the city’s streets. The gregarious senator made a circuit of the town, calling into a number of shops such as Keogh’s Bakery, White’s Pharmacy, St Canice’s Credit Union, and Kitty’s Cabin – to buy an ice cream.
In his wooing of Kilkenny voters, Senator Norris revealed a seemingly inexhaustible repertoire of rapport-forming antics. Hurling, poetry, and even a singing duet with local man Daniel O’ Faolain on Rose Inn Street were all part of his afternoon’s canvassing.
At one point, the independent presidential candidate even brought traffic to a standstill on Main Street, as he met the driver of the Black and Amber train, much to the delight of passengers and passersby alike.
“I just think he’s fantastic, he’s the man I would pick,” said Renee Power from Loughboy, who together with her sister, Elaine Hurley, posed for photos with the senator.
“I’m thrilled to meet him, and he has so much charisma ahead of the other candidates. He would be a wonderful ambassador for Ireland.”
While Senator Norris was initially the favourite, he has now fallen well behind several of his counterparts, according to the most recent some polls.
“I had six or seven good polls in a row and when I was top I always said they were only snapshots — when they were good or bad,” he told the Kilkenny Advertiser
The senator’s widespread appeal was emphasised by the diverse range of supporters and well-wishers who met him: Male and female, young and old, and from all points on the political spectrum.
Local councillor Malcom Noonan was waiting to greet the Independent candidate as he arrived into the Marble City. The Green Party councillor said he would be backing Senator Norris’ bid for the Aras.
“I looked at the track records of the candidates in relation to the environment, in relation to human rights, poverty – and I felt that both David Norris and Michael D Higgins have a track record in this regard, which I don’t see the other candidates as having,” said Cllr Noonan.
“I think ultimately we need to elect a president that will represent us effectively on an international stage – and that’s why I’m here to meet [Senator Norris] today.”
Cathaoirleach and Fine Gael councillor Paul Cuddihy greeted the Independent candidate warmly when they met on Kieran Street, and Ogra Fianna Fail’s Patrick McKee wished Senator Norris the very best with his campaign.
And while they have no vote, pupils on their lunch hour from Kilkenny’s CBS and St Kieran’s secondary schools added some festivity to the afternoon, following the politician’s campaign team around town in large numbers.
