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Irish alone won’t win any candidate the vacant seat. But a big chunk of Galway West is taken up by the Conamara Gaeltacht – the country’s largest region of native Irish speakers – and Galway is officially a bilingual city.

There aren’t enough votes in Conamara to win the seat and the Irish language isn’t the main issue for most voters – even those fluent in Irish. And yet, Gaeilge remains an election issue, even for non-Irish speakers in Galway West who recognise the importance of our native tongue to the constituency.

The bye-election was called to replace Galway West TD Catherine Connolly, who was elected President of Ireland last November. The Independent was big on Gaeilge during her presidential campaign. And, so, wannabe replacements know that they too must show regard for the language, even if they do not speak it fluently.

Fine Gael is not renowned for its grá for Gaeilge but its candidate – Seán Kyne – epitomises how learners of the language can excel.

The Maigh Cuillinn man took intensive Irish language lessons and the reward was two stints as Minister of State for the Gaeltacht. He more than holds his own these days, debating on Irish language media such as TG4 and Raidió na Gaeltactacha.

Other candidates are fluent too. Múinteoir Orla Nugent was described as a ‘Gaelgeoir’ in the Aontú press release announcing the Irish and Economics graduate’s candidacy.

With a name like Míde nic Fhionnlaoich, you’d expect the Soc Dem candidate to be fluent with a Conamara ‘blas’, and the native of Trá Bán in Ceantar na nOileán doesn’t disappoint.

At least three candidates were not born in Ireland and were not exposed to the language in the Irish education but they too recognise its value. Labour Party Councillor Helen Ogbu, for instance, begins all her emails with “a chara”, and she was also spotted outside Údarás na Gaeltachta at a recent protest by Gaeltacht housing group BÁNÚ.

Other candidates like County Councillors Noel Thomas (Ind Ire) and Thomas Welby (Ind) have been making efforts to improve what little Irish they have, and to use it – possibly too sparingly – in their literature and social media.

Of all the constituencies, Gaeilge is more important in Galway West than anywhere else. And the Catherine Connolly effect offers candidates who give due regard to An Ghaeilge a competitive edge. But, as always, Irish – or any other issue – is only as important as voters make it.

FG’s Triple Lock trouble

Fine Gael giraffes in Galway were admiring the neck on one of the party’s city councillors last week.

Step forward Shane Forde, in City East, who voted with Independent Eibhlín Seoighthe and other left-wing councillors on a motion before Galway City Council last month, to retain the Triple Lock.

This is the safeguard that requires Cabinet and Dáil Éireann approval, as well as a United Nations mandate, to deploy Irish troops on missions overseas.

The Government is hell-bent on removing it. The rationale? Because China, Russia, America or other states could veto Irish deployments at the UN General Assembly or Security Council.

To the fore in removing the Triple Lock is Fine Gael Minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs, Helen McEntee.

The party’s deputy leader claimed that reforms of the triple lock on overseas deployment was about Ireland “taking back sovereignty”, rather than the three major world bullies deciding foreign policy for us.

Fianna Fáil – led by Councillor Peter Keane – defended the Government position during the debate. So too did Councillor Eddie Hoare (FG).

Forde voted against. But what irked Fine Gaelers in Galway more than his vote was that he was spotted schmoozing with Helen McEntee at an event at Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa in Renmore.

“Wouldn’t you think he’d be embarrassed to show his face to McEntee after voting against her policy on Triple Lock? He has no shortage of neck,” snorted one disgruntled Fine Gaeler.

Labour canvass Connolly

Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik was in Galway a fortnight ago for a celebration of Michael D and Sabina Higgins.

While here, the Dublin TD did a spot of canvassing with Councillor Helen Ogbu, the party’s Galway West bye-election candidate.

And who did they bump into while out on the campaign trail? None other than sitting Fianna Fáil TD, John Connolly, a former colleague of Councillor Ogbu during his time on Galway City Council.

Deputy Connolly – who presumably will back the Fianna Fáil candidate – was polite and yet non-committal about the destination of his number two!

© Connacht Tribune