Something has changed utterly in Mayo in political terms
"There are decades when nothing happens and there are weeks when decades happen"
After the week or so that was, it would be hard to argue against the belief that something in Mayo has changed.
As Lenin said, there are decades when nothing happens and there are weeks when decades happen.
But who are some of the names that have splashed onto Mayo political life over the last fortnight.
And, more pertinently, will there be a cohesive bump, a new political party or a slew of fresh potential candidates the next time we go to the polls.
THE NEWBIES
Gerry Tighe – Ballycastle
Gerry Tighe is the founder of the Common Rose Mayo network, a group that has been leading protests across the county since the fuel crisis protests began.
He told the crowd in Bar Square, Ballina, at Paul Lawless' meeting that he got involved when he saw protests being organised on a Facebook page.
He got in touch to ask if there was anything in Mayo. He was then told there was one arranged for Castlebar but nothing beyond the county town.
So he got to work, creating WhatsApp groups that he said swelled to capacity, then with the announcement by Jim O'Callaghan to “send in the army”, new group chats had to be formed as they'd hit their 1,000 capacity. The same again when gardaí responded to remove blockades through enforcement.
He spoke proudly about the fact that he is a Ballycastle man, but had to leave the country during the recession. He hit for Alberta, Canada, and has recently returned to Ireland, a country that he feels is still not working for people he knows and recognises.
The protests from his WhatsApp groups have gone on to spur spin-offs in not just Ballina, but Foxford, Achill, Westport, Claremorris and Ballinrobe.
There is a movement building there and Tighe is an able speaker with his sentiments in my view landing with the crowd, one to watch in an area of the county that feels it has little representation and issues around wind farms have also reared their head.
David Newcombe – Ballina
The former St. Muredach's student and founder of Awaken Ireland, an ‘apolitical’ platform to inform the younger generation about politics which he says was born through his passion for politics and his realisation that many of his peers did not have much understanding of the Irish political system.
Newcombe opened for Paul Lawless at the Ballina event. He spoke well about the need for young people in particular to get involved, become engaged and help to shape our democracy.
A fascinating aspect of his speech was his call on people to engage with local councillors.
"They're the truest form of democracy," he said, "and it is time for people to put them to work." A rallying cry that resonated with people in the room and he was warmly received, but who stays ‘apolitical’ forever.
Perhaps I read a bit between the lines but a tilt at the local elections in 2029 may be on the horizon for the Galway commerce student.
Donal Byrne – Aghamore
The east Mayo entrepreneur made national headlines when he was jilted at the altar of Ag House alongside his fellow campaigners on that famed Friday showdown that was Day 4 of the protests.
A savage social media following is always a good launching pad for a political career and 64,000 followers on Instagram alone is a solid base.
Just for comparison, Paul Lawless has the largest Instagram platform out of all the Mayo TDs at 10,000.
As a farmer, builder and public figure, Byrne represents a can-do attitude that many in rural communities admire, the type of man who sponsors local GAA teams, provides employment and is in tune with issues on the ground.
Every time he appears on Midwest Radio his contributions go viral, labelling young people swamped by massive mortgages as the "cornflake generation," due to them only being able to eat cornflakes to pay back massive debts.
His speech resonates with people on the ground, but when Tommy Marren rightly asked Byrne whether he would ever run, he failed to fully rule it out.
If Mayo is the forgotten county, then east Mayo is the most forgotten part. His hat in the ring would put the cat amongst the pigeons and I'm sure Michael Fitzmaurice is on the phone to him night and day to come over to Independent Ireland.
We're three years out from any definite election, so a lot of ball yet to be played.
THE ELECTED PACK
Patsy O'Brien – Robeen
The independent councillor travelled to Galway to meet with protesters. As a farmer he was aware of the grumblings from people in the agricultural community, a long-term opponent to Mercosur, contributor to IFA meetings regarding the Bord Bia controversy.
Patsy O'Brien has been working day and night since the general election of 2024 to maintain a profile and grow it even further. He certainly has the pulse of his own base and will have seen his profile grow again over the weeks of protest.
What remains his biggest obstacle is Paul Lawless, who is far too close to him geographically to truly benefit.
Lawless too has seen his position grow further, and he won't be sweating come the next GE like he was in 2024.
Chris Maxwell – Louisburgh
Independent Ireland are the big winners from the fuel crisis. Maxwell, like Michael Fitzmaurice, knows the agri-contract trade. I've rung the poll-topping Louisburgh councillor on more than one occasion and had to ring back as he was "under a machine."
His contributions and proposal to reject the €505 million package at local authority level gathered legs and support.
Maxwell will have a wider base ahead of the next GE, but certainly his seat as a local rep looks to be as sure as houses. Independent Ireland will aim to make in-roads into this county and increase the number of councillors as a matter of priority for the nascent party.
Change, as I say, is in the air.