Local TD Gerry Reynolds was on holiday when Mary Banotti and her team arrived in Carrickon-Shannon, but Fine Gael was out in force to greet her nonetheless. They had gathered in the coffee shop on the main street owned by local activist, Mrs Marcia O'Brien, where 1 1/2-year-old Rois in Cryan, daughter of another party member, presented the candidate with a bouquet.oisin."
Mrs Nora Maguire and her friend Mrs Ena Lee had been asked to join the candidate for coffee. "I'm not that interested in parties, really," said Mrs Lee, "but I do like Fine Gael. Her daughter's a lovely girl. And Mary looks better than in the paper."
Ms Banotti was firmly taken in hand by local party treasurer, Enda McGloin, and Kathleen Coleman, chairwoman of the local cumann, and shepherded into the shops and cafes along the main street.
"I'm Mary," the candidate introduced herself, "Banotti. You have to qualify it now."
Ms Banotti daughter, Tanya, was canvassing the other side of the street like a professional. "Have you decided how you're going to vote? Well, Mary Banotti is far and away the best candidate, the most politically experienced candidate." She told The Irish Times she had been doing this for 15 years "with mum and Nora".
Two little Indian girls in school uniform walked up the street. "They're our neighbours," said Mrs Coleman, who runs a news agency. She introduced the children, and asked them their names and ages in Irish, to which they replied fluently. Mary Banotti was warmly welcomed in their mother's clothes shop next door, where she chatted with her for a few minutes, but it was not certain that the woman had a vote.
In Sligo, the candidate was met by local TD John Perry, from Ballymote, whose victory was one of the surprises of the last election, the Lord Mayor, Tony McLoughlin, and a number of councillors and party activists.
The group moved along the new development of shops and cafes on the river front, Rockwood Parade, sweeping people they recognised into their entourage, introducing them to the candidate, moving quickly on to Quinnsworth supermarket.
The reason for John Perry's recent success was soon apparent. He moved quickly, identifying people, establishing eye contact with those who would be prepared to be canvassed, shaking hands, repeating: "Hello, how are you. Presidential candidate Mary Banotti. Your support is very much appreciated. Every vote counts.".
"I know a pro when I see one," Mary Banotti muttered appreciatively between potential voters.
Tony McLoughlin called her over. "Here's Aidan Rooney, the Leitrim footballer." An embarrassed young man was half way through unloading his trolley, but he agreed to pose for pictures with the candidate. If published in the local papers, that will do her no harm with the Leitrim electorate.
But even the most professional canvassers can get it wrong. As the team left the supermarket three women were coming in. They looked astonished when their hands were seized and shaken, and a group of strangers started to talk to them. "Ah, campagne electorale, one explained to her fellow French tourists, who smiled in recognition of the behaviour. Mary Banotti did not miss a beat, and switched to French to explain who she was.