Why does no one want to be our president?

With record-low unemployment and the chance to reside in the Áras, why is it that with just four months until the Presidential election no major candidate has officially stepped forward to replace Michael D. Higgins?

Here in the west of Ireland, we've been spoiled for presidents from Douglas Hyde to Mary Robinson, and of course Michael D. himself, who never shied away from his Connaught roots.

But despite the many names whispered and briefly appearing in betting markets, pundits suspect that the top prospects are holding back to avoid the “silly season” scrutiny of the Sunday papers.

A presidential campaign is like no other.

Every corner of a candidate’s life is fair game, and the summer lull gives the media ample time to dig.

Is that really the issue, though? Or are the parties simply running short of talent?

The post-crash exodus from politics left many benches bare. Fianna Fáil, for example, seems to have only Éamon Ó Cuív as a legacy name in the mix. Barry Andrews has ruled himself out.

So too has perennial maybe-candidate Miriam O’Callaghan, who used her latest book tour to put an end to speculation.

Ó Cuív would poll well in Mayo, he’s near-beloved in some of the western islands and southern parts of the county.

Grá for him seems to be in short supply within the upper echelons of Fianna Fáil, however.

But beyond a few jabs at Michael Ring potentially making the run after his retirement, there’s little sign that any local candidate is ready to step in.

Fine Gael has no shortage of names.

Séan Kelly’s momentum has grown in recent months, and Mairead McGuinness is widely considered the favourite, though she’s yet to confirm.

A fight for the nomination seems inevitable. Heather Humphreys, meanwhile, has firmly denied any interest and is the latest heavy-hitter to rule herself out.

Among independents, Luke 'Ming' Flanagan and Catherine Connolly are serious potential contenders.

Both could emerge as left-unity candidates, combining strong anti-Gaza-war stances and progressive records with a rural authenticity few Dublin politicians can match.

Frances Black was tipped for the role but has now ruled herself out, joining a long list of names that have cooled their ambitions.

Ming remains a fascinating figure, somehow still not taken seriously, despite topping the vote Midlands North West wide in last year’s European elections.

He has said he’s interested in running, but his name rarely makes it into mainstream chatter. Is he bluffing? Possibly. But his credentials are real.

His protégé and former constituency secretary Claire Kerrane has shone since entering the Dáil.

With Sinn Féin reportedly struggling to find a candidate also, John Finucane, Gerry Adams, and even Jarlath Burns have been floated,

Ming may have a clear opening for a quid pro quo from Mary Lou’s party? Would Labour and the Soc Dems rally in behind him?

If he makes it onto the debate stage, it would be electric. And as we've seen time and time again, the debates are where presidential campaigns are won or lost.

Plenty to watch in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile on home turf, north Mayo has become something of a political pressure cooker lately with Dara Calleary, Senator Mark Duffy, and Sinn Féin’s Rose Conway-Walsh all vying for ground in the Salmon Capital.

Alan Dillon is somewhat adrift in Castlebar, with only newcomer and party colleague Keira Keogh to watch in the west of the county.

His move north from time to time for photo and social media video opportunities may have unsettled Duffy more than Calleary who, under his role as Minister for Rural Affairs and Gaeltacht, enjoyed designating Dillon’s home patch a Gaeltacht designate.

So now Calleary can view the county town as fair game with no other top Fianna Fáil rep in the locality.

Indeed he was in Castlebar for the election of Belmullet Councillor Sean Carey as cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council for the first time.

But before he left he would have heard a strong case made by Councillor Blackie Gavin, who left the Fianna Fáil grouping at last year’s annual general meeting, for the return of town councils in line with promises made before the 2024 general election.

Councillor Gavin made the point, firmly, that the county’s three main towns have been in decline since their town councils were scrapped.