Coasting through North Dublin

Today began at the Marlay Park market quaffing some of Bryan’s brilliant coffee and ended at Floraville in Skerries where a 24-hour static cycle was in progress in aid of Skerries Youth Support Services. Well done to all the participants. Donate if you can!

Now that the posters are up (and causing heartache to candidates!) there is an awareness that elections are on the horizon. But it’s not always clear who is running for what, and still less what they stand for. We have to find ways of engaging people more in the political and electoral process. Baldoyle was certainly showing the way today. Cllr.Brian McDonagh (Howth/Malahide) and I were pleased to be at the Community Centre to mingle with other candidates and record a short video pitch.  I bumped into local elections candidate, Jimmy Guerin, who attended the same school as me- Chanel College Coolock- back in the last century!

We have many new candidates standing for Labour in the local elections across Dublin, over half of whom are women. I am proud that the Labour Party has always led from the front on gender equality. Seana O’Rodaigh is our candidate in Balbriggan. She is an exceptional person and will make a terrific councillor. I was delighted to make a short video message with her during our canvass.  You almost feel like a TV reporter doing these pieces-to-camera but I think it’s a great way to spread the message and keep a focus on the issues people are raising. Earlier I was with Shane Folan and his team in in Donaghmede. Shane is a big hit on the canvass trail and we received a warm welcome in Greenwood Estate.

In Donaghmede this morning with Shane Folan and some of his team.

Quote of the day is Seana O’Rodaigh’s observation that “Balbriggan is the fastest-growing, youngest, most diverse town in Ireland”.