Rock on, Mattie:Fianna Fáil candidate in South Tipperary Mattie McGrath has campaigned for the Amhrán na bhFiann to be taught in schools, and now he's hoping for a boost from the song written for him by his brother-in-law.
Our Guy, Your Guywas sung at the councillor's campaign launch in Cahir last week. It's some light relief from his recent travails. Mr McGrath has had his court case on public order charges adjourned until June, although he says that the issue has not come up on the doorsteps "in any significant manner whatsoever".
Apparently, Mr McGrath is campaigning on the promise of: "A Lot Done and Still At It." He'll be hoping that his song can replicate the success of Laois-Offaly Independent candidate John Bracken, whose ditty has made the national airwaves. Anyway, it's on its way to Campaign Trail's CD player and if we're still humming it in a few days, we'll report back.
What's in a nameBefore this election, it could have been argued that Niall Hatch of Birdwatch Ireland was the person in Ireland whose name was most apt for his job. Then a Fine Gael campaign leaflet dropped through Campaign Trail's letterbox.
The director of elections responsible for Dublin South is none other than Michael van Turnhout. How else could he have done anything else with his life?
Word puzzleA reader sends us a campaign ad he spotted in the Leitrim Observer. Maybe it's been the victim of some horrible technological error - or perhaps it's a clever new word puzzle. Either way, we can all agree that there should be room for "Newt Hinking" in this election. Whoever he is.
Statistics of the day 66/1:the odds Paddy Power is offering on a Progressive Democrats manifesto being found among illicit items in Portlaoise Prison 250/1:the odds on them finding Shergar
Dempsey's tech cred wobblesNoel Dempsey has a reputation for being an avid texter. Although, he surely doesn't sign off with his full title as "Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources" - putting that into text speak would be a tough mission.
The Minister took part in a web debate on RTÉ's website yesterday, along with spokesmen from the Opposition parties.
The first questioner in the debate asked them what technologies they had embraced in recent years.
"I have an iPod as well but I haven't figured out how to use it yet!" admitted Mr Dempsey.
But after his opponents had answered, he wished to clear up any confusion over his technological savvy.
"Note: I have figured out how to use my iPod I just haven't had the time to put music on it!"
We're glad he pointed that out.