In praise of a small Mayo community's vision and ambition

Dr. Richard Martin

The Community Futures event in Lahardane proved highy successful with a big attendance by local elected representatives.

They included Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary.

Minister of State for Small Business and Retail & Circular Economy, Alan Dillon.

Senator Mark Duffy. Councillor Michael Loftus from Crossmolina and Councillor Marie Therese Duffy from Ballina. From the Castlebar district we had Blackie Gavin, Donna Sheridan, Ger Deere and Harry Barrett.

Why were there so many politicians in attendance?

Well, if I was to venture an opinion, the fact that Caoimhín Rowland is involved in the Community Futures had a lot to do with it.

His column ‘All Ireland Whinger’ is widely read and influential. From the perspective of the politterati, it might be no harm to keep in with him. It certainly wouldn’t be a good idea not to turn up or not reply to an invitation.

The link between Monsignor James Horan and Charles Haughey was John Healy. John Healy was from Charlestown.

He was a leading journalist in the ‘60s and ‘70s and contributed a column titled ‘Backbencher’ for the Irish Times which was essential weekly reading. It must be said he had strong FF leanings.

The Monsignor needed Haughey to fulfil his vision of an airport. The foggy boggy airport is today a massive success.

Some 946,381 passengers passed through Knock Airport last year. It must be said it was in Haughey’s interests to keep Healy onside also. A piece by John Healy could decide a seat or an election – and over the years it did.

Media and politics are joint at the hip. Always have been and always will be.

Lahardane are lucky that they have an influential man in their community. It means they as a community have the ear of strong politics. This means they won’t be left behind.

In late 2023, they nearly lost their GP service in the community. Their GP Enda Loftus moved to Crossmolina and the practice was vacant. As a community they rallied around and demanded action.

A few months later Dr. Amjed Ahmad moved to the practice and the crisis was abated. The lesson is this. There is power in numbers. And politics. And media.

What was the Community Futures event about? It’s basically a five-year plan with a list of issues that the community want sorted, the main one being the development of a medical centre.

It was a wonderful community morning and there was a strong attendance from the locals and the spread was superb.

I hope Ireland doesn’t lose that. We never should. The welcome. The tae. The scone and the chat.

Before the speeches there was the inevitable fun and games with the politicians. I spotted my old comrade Blackie Gavin across the room holding court and I went over to himself, Harry and the Duffys.

He shook my hand, laughed and told me there’s no such thing as bad publicity. I agree. The only bad publicity is an obituary.

But I’ve never given Blackie any publicity. Good nor bad. As a journalist I’m honour bound to speak the language of truth and communicate that to the discerning public.

All I’ve ever said in relation to Blackie is that there is a total contradiction and inconsistency in his stance. And I’ve been consistent in that ever since he joined the independent group and left FF in the council chamber. Anyway. Let’s get back to Lahardane.

Caoimhín was the compère for the event. He spoke well. I stood at the side of the hall. Watching, the thought did cross my mind - does this man have an interest in politics himself? After all he spends his time writing about it. Who would he run with? SF? Aontú?

He’s definitely not a blueshirt.

Aontú and SF need credible candidates for the council. He clearly has a passion for his homeplace and wants to see it grow and thrive. He understands politics. Stranger things have happened.

Rose may come knocking on his door in the near future. SF need a new approach at council level.

Alan Dillon then came to the stage and spoke proficiently. Dara Calleary was sitting in front of me. As Caoimhín and Alan spoke he took quick bullet points on a scrap of paper.

Then when he went to the stage, he speaks off the cuff, glances at the bullet points and works around them. I’ve witnessed him give speeches that last 15 minutes with no waffle or rubbish. It’s seriously impressive how he does it. It’s the mark of a lion. An art form.

Will he go for the FF leadership? He has to. He has the ability, the seniority and he’s served a lengthy apprenticeship.

Haughey was first elected in ‘57 after three attempts. Twenty-two years later he became Taoiseach. Bertie was elected in ‘77. Twenty years later in ‘97 he was Taoiseach.

Minister Calleary was first elected in 2007 - 19 years ago. He’s served his time and served it well. It would be an extraordinary day for the people of Ballina and Mayo if he defeated Jim O’Callaghan. O’Callaghan doesn’t have a God given right to the job. It’s all to play for.

Calleary belongs to the old-school pure FF tradition. His father and his grandfather were Teachtaí Dála. He would have deep connections in the organisation all across the island going back over 50 years.

In a leadership contest that has to count it would be glorious to see it happen, particularly in face of the fact at how badly he was treated by Micheál Martin after Golfgate. Revenge is always best served cold.

After the speeches, I lingered awhile and drank some tae. Alison was busy scampering around taking photos so I let her at it. I struck up conversation with Councillor Loftus from Crossmolina.

His father, Dr. Mickey, was one of the all-time great Mayo men. Cut from the same cloth as the Monsignor.

A man of great principle and ability. A former president of the GAA. A GP. An All-Ireland medal winner. Dr. Mickey was the county coroner from 1970 to2003 and was vocal about the horror he witnessed from the abuse of alcohol and alcoholism.

When the All-Ireland hurling championship was sponsored by Guinness in the ‘90s he wouldn’t attend games. It flew in the face of his principles. Principles being the operative word.

Just one final point to note. The Duffys were the last to leave. North Mayo and the county at large is going to be some battle ground come the next general election.