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Home arrow News arrow Local News arrow Ahascragh native in running for Labour leadership
Ahascragh native in running for Labour leadership E-mail
Written by Deirdre O'Shaughnessy   
Wednesday, 29 August 2007
Former Labour leader Pat Rabbitte’s decision to hand over the reins of power may signify yet another coup for Galway’s most political parish, which encompasses Caltra and Ahascragh. The current front-runner in the leadership race is Eamon Gilmore, who originally hails from Ahascragh, the country’s most politically productive parish. Ahascragh and the surrounding areas have produced six current Oireachtas members, and if Deputy Gilmore’s leadership bid is successful, two party leaders.

Speaking to the Galway Independent, Deputy Gilmore said, “It’s a remarkable parish, famous for football and politics.” Although Galway was not in line for any silverware this year, Deputy Gilmore said he hoped it was line to win the Labour party leadership.

Other Dáil deputies from the area are Mary Harney, acting leader of the Progressive Democrats and the Kitt family (Tom, Micheál, and sister Áine Brady), while the area also boasts a Senator Rónán Mullen.

Fellow Galwegian Michael D Higgins, who has reiterated his support for the Ahascragh man in the current race, proposed Deputy Gilmore, who represents the constituency of Dún Laoghaire in Dublin, for the leadership in 2002. Deputy Gilmore has said that he has been greatly encouraged by the support of Galway Deputy Michael D Higgins, for whom he has enormous respect.

Deputy Higgins said he felt that Eamon Gilmore would be a great leader of the Labour Party for a number of reasons. These, he said, included the fact that Mr Gilmore is from a rural background but has proven his understanding of the issues facing urban voters by winning his Dún Laoghaire seat, as well as the fact that he has strong links with the Trade Union movement and is intellectually strong.

Deputy Gilmore’s bid is also being supported by former Labour Councillor Colm Keaveney and Galway City Mayor Tom Costello, who said he “would be very supportive of a fellow Galway man who has youth on his side and has been a leader-in-waiting for some time.”


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