After their grand day out at Dublin Castle, TDs were rolling in the aisles in D\u00e1ilOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\nIt was a good inauguration. <\/p>\n
But it wasn\u2019t a great inauguration. <\/p>\n
International incident<\/p>\n
The venue was too small. <\/p>\n
Although the organisers can\u2019t be blamed for that \u2013 St Patrick\u2019s Hall is a splendiferous space and perfect for hosting glittering State banquets and the like. <\/p>\n
By the time all the members of the Oireachtas and the judiciary and key members of Catherine Connolly\u2019s campaign team were counted in, along with all the family and friends of the new President, there was precious little room for anyone else. <\/p>\n
The Diplomatic Corps lost out big time. <\/p>\n
Ambassadors and their representatives were consigned to George\u2019s Hall in the next wing. There would be no sashaying up the Grand Staircase for them.<\/p>\n
Highlights of George\u2019s Hall include the early years of the Planning Tribunal, the Beef, McCracken, Moriarty and Garda Whistleblower tribunals. There is some interesting artwork too.<\/p>\n
![\"Members](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ZYF2DT7RMJFHVOLNPDUEVBOJCQ.JPG\")
Members of the diplomatic community arrive for the inauguration of Catherine Connolly. Photograph: Bryan O\u2019Brien<\/p>\n
If those walls could talk, the assembled Excellencies might have had enjoyed their trip to the castle a little better. As it was, they were bussed from Iveagh House and shut into the windowless George\u2019s Hall for a number of hours to watch what they could have watched at home on the telly. <\/p>\n
There wasn\u2019t much in the way of refreshments either. They would have killed for a Ferrero Rocher by the time they were released. <\/p>\n
The diplomats were not pleased to find themselves in an overflow room in an annex off the State Apartments. <\/p>\n
At one stage, said a source close to the cocktail circuit, one senior ambassador from an EU county got up to leave but he was successfully persuaded to return. <\/p>\n
Even our nearest neighbour didn\u2019t get a look in, although at least the new UK ambassador arrived by car \u2013 probably a nod to the Common Travel Area and Special Relationship. <\/p>\n
But Kara Owen also watched the proceedings from George\u2019s Hall. <\/p>\n
She did, however, meet Uachtar\u00e1n Connolly during that evening\u2019s State Reception and presented her with a letter of congratulation from King Charles.<\/p>\n
The British Embassy tweeted afterwards: \u201cA meaningful moment for the UK\u2013Irish relationship as we look forward to working together in the years ahead\u201d.<\/p>\n
The judges arrived in a herd of black suits. Some politicians noted that Ireland\u2019s four members of the European Court of Justice were not among them.<\/p>\n
After the inauguration, one judge tried to board a coach reserved for politicians but she wasn\u2019t allowed. \u201cSeparation of powers\u201d she was jokingly informed. <\/p>\n
\u2018You were lucky to get half a sandwich\u2019<\/p>\n
It was a long day for the politicians too. <\/p>\n
Those parties and independents who supported Catherine Connolly were happy out, except for Ruth Coppinger. <\/p>\n
Despite being on the winning side, the socialist TD for Dublin West still found time to complain that Aont\u00fa\u2019s Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn shouldn\u2019t have been given such a prominent seat and moan about members of Fianna F\u00e1il and Fine Gael muscling in for photographs with the Left\u2019s President.<\/p>\n
She posted a picture of her smiling photo-op with Catherine to prove her point. <\/p>\n
Fine Gael\u2019s Frank Feighan was among the people in the background, minding his own business, waiting innocently in the queue for his chance to congratulate the woman who is now his President.<\/p>\n
Magnanimous Ruth says she wouldn\u2019t have been at the reception had Heather Humphreys won the election. <\/p>\n
The concept of a President for All \u2013 warmly embraced on the day by those politicians who campaigned for a different candidate \u2013 appears to have bypassed Deputy Coppinger.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the catering team in Leinster House found itself under unexpected pressure on Tuesday afternoon when famished TDs and Senators stormed the bar and the canteen in search of sustenance.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were put on the busses at half ten in the morning and didn\u2019t get out of the place until after half two. If you weren\u2019t one of the first out of the hall after the ceremony you were lucky to get half a sandwich. It wasn\u2019t much better in the evening when we came back, although there was more wine. Some people were half-pissed in no time because they had nothing to eat,\u201d said our D\u00e1il confidante.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe budget for the presidency is gone up by 9 per cent. We saw none of it!\u201d<\/p>\n
Still, the parties in the \u00c1ras should be good. A lot of people on Tuesday were remarking that the President\u2019s husband, Brian McEnery, is the image of Benny from Abba.<\/p>\n
The great communicator![\"Minister](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AXQNRQKPOVHIPLF2WJIUBNIJWU.JPG\")
Minister Jim O\u2019Callaghan speaking at the Irish Journalism Awards. Photograph: Alan Betson <\/p>\n
Never mind Dublin Castle. <\/p>\n
Jim O\u2019Callaghan, the Minister for Justice, was the star turn of this week. <\/p>\n
On Wednesday, he filled in for Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin at the Irish Journalism Awards luncheon in the Mansion House. Miche\u00e1l was too busy sticking pins in his eyes (and prepping for Leaders\u2019 Questions). <\/p>\n
It was a quick in and out job for Jim, because he was due in the Seanad for a debate on the Defamation Bill. <\/p>\n
He gave a very funny speech to a very hard to please crowd. <\/p>\n
Eschewing the usual platitude-filled time-filler, Jim turned in a highly entertaining routine in which he took the Miche\u00e1l out of the Taoiseach, Ivan Yates, Terry Prone, certain media advisers\/pundits, awards MC Matt Cooper and his own sister, Miriam. <\/p>\n
He said he approached his leader for advice on how to handle this daunting speaking gig. Miche\u00e1l said he needed good training to face the \u201cgiants of Irish journalism\u201d and highly recommended an excellent media trainer who had the real advantage of being an ex-politician from Wexford. <\/p>\n
What, Mick Wallace? <\/p>\n
No, said the Taoiseach. Ivan Yates. He\u2019s great altogether.<\/p>\n
Jim goes to a distinguished array of communications luminaries for advice but he is none the wiser. <\/p>\n
Then somebody tells him he has all the advice he needs much closer to home. Why not ask his sister, the broadcaster and author, Miriam O\u2019Callaghan?<\/p>\n
Jim said Miriam was initially offended at his attempt to compromise her integrity but she relented for her brother, just this once. <\/p>\n
She told him to get a pen and paper and take down three pieces of advice.<\/p>\n
The hacks in the audience were agog. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd she said: One \u2013 If you\u2019re giving a speech on Wednesday afternoon, make sure you put your eyelashes in on Tuesday evening. <\/p>\n
\u201cTwo: When you go to bed on Tuesday evening, make sure you remove your lower eyelashes, but don\u2019t remove the upper eyelashes. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd three, you don\u2019t have a fringe, so don\u2019t wash your hair on Tuesday or indeed, on Wednesday.\u201d<\/p>\n
And he left them laughing. And impressed.<\/p>\n
A good day\u2019s work.<\/p>\n
Lament for Betty<\/p>\n
When the D\u00e1il reopened for business on Wednesday, Labour leader Ivana Bacik was not in the chamber for Leaders\u2019 Questions. <\/p>\n
We heard later that she had been in Wexford attending the funeral of Betty Lawlor, the mother of her party colleague, George Lawlor. <\/p>\n
Everyone agreed it was a lovely funeral. Betty (89) died peacefully at home after a long life, well lived. She was devoted to her family and to The Butters \u2013 otherwise known as Sarsfields GAA Club. <\/p>\n
Many warm tributes and fond recollections were shared at her mass in the town\u2019s Church of the Assumption. <\/p>\n
In a touching reflection, Deputy Lawlor \u2013 a noted tenor with the Wexford Light Opera Society \u2013 talked about his final, precious, days with his beloved mother. <\/p>\n
\u201cOnly recently, I sat beside her bed, singing gently to her.\u201d<\/p>\n
The hankies came out in the pews. Eyes were dabbed for George and Betty. <\/p>\n
He smiled wistfully. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd she said: \u201cGeorge. Shut up for God\u2019s sake.\u201d <\/p>\n
Clusterbleep<\/p>\n
Word of the Week: Clusterbleep. <\/p>\n
On Wednesday in Brussels, Fianna F\u00e1il\u2019s Barry Cowen was asked about his party\u2019s presidential campaign debacle. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe whole thing was a \u201cclusterbleep\u201d, I\u2019d say.\u201d<\/p>\n
But it\u2019s not for the party\u2019s MEP for Midlands Northwest to say what might happen next. He pointed out that a review process is already under way (slowly) and it will determine who, if anyone, should be held accountable. <\/p>\n
Three Titans of the Fianna F\u00e1il parliamentary party are spearheading this, eh, root and branch investigation into the shambles enthusiastically promoted by party leader Miche\u00e1l Martin and his young sidekick Jack Chambers which resulted in their hapless candidate Jim Gavin being handed his \u00c1ras on a plate. <\/p>\n
Three unknown titans of the parliamentary party are conducting the probe \u2013 Deputies Tom Brabazon and Eamon Scanlon and Senator Margaret Murphy O\u2019Connor. <\/p>\n
Here\u2019s the gist of Barry\u2019s less than ringing endorsement of his party leader. <\/p>\n
\u201cAt the moment the Taoiseach remains leader of Fianna F\u00e1il\u201d and Miche\u00e1l is \u201ccommitted\u201d to leading the party into the next election and that\u2019s it \u201cunless issues or events and it can happen any day of the week\u201d.<\/p>\n
A clusterbleep is like a clusterf**k, but with a lot more effin\u2019 asterisks.<\/p>\n
Barry has it nailed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Jesus, Mary and Holy St Parrott. Some week. A new president is inaugurated in a higgeldy-piggeldy-miggedly ceremony at…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":181666,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[9,10,1921,18,13,14,6,19,17,11,12,15,16,55915,5,7,8],"class_list":{"0":"post-181665","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ireland","8":"tag-breaking-news","9":"tag-breakingnews","10":"tag-catherine-connolly","11":"tag-eire","12":"tag-featured-news","13":"tag-featurednews","14":"tag-headlines","15":"tag-ie","16":"tag-ireland","17":"tag-latest-news","18":"tag-latestnews","19":"tag-main-news","20":"tag-mainnews","21":"tag-miriam-lord","22":"tag-news","23":"tag-top-stories","24":"tag-topstories"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/115552553979676737","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/181665","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=181665"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/181665\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/181666"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=181665"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=181665"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=181665"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}