The electorate can be a fickle lot, just like the weather. Overcast skies and a chilly breeze had threatened to dog the hustings yesterday, but it was all plain sailing as Dana, Rosemary Scallon, hit the Co Donegal campaign trail.
Cold winds and rain greeted her start in Bundoran for a multiple sclerosis conference, where she gave a keynote speech. This was replaced by sunshine when she reached Donegal town for 11.30 Mass at St Patrick's Church. There were surprised faces as Dana chatted outside the church. But the words "Dana, Rosemary Scallon Vote 1" emblazoned on her campaign car alerted many to the fact that a celebrity was in their midst.
Mass-goers applauded the candidate at the end of the service after she was welcomed by the local priest. Acknowledging the battle to win votes over the last days of the campaign, she said: "I'm thinking of the election and I will do my best and I'm hopeful of winning."
After Mass she went on a walkabout in Donegal town and was greeted warmly by everyone she met. "She is just wonderful and she will be getting my vote," said one woman.
Driving through Donegal you could be forgiven for thinking that Mary McAleese and Adi Roche were the only candidates, for their posters were emblazoned on several lamp posts.
Dressed in a smart trouser suit, Dana looked every inch the presidential candidate. Almost as soon as she stepped out of the car in Killybegs, people swarmed around her.
"I think you are just wonderful and the best of luck," said one local man. Buoyed by the turnout, Dana conducted a mini-walkabout, calling in to a nearby hotel to talk to staff.
Some of those who didn't manage to meet her were disappointed. "She should have shaken hands with all the staff, who had been waiting all day to see her," said a male member of staff.
Already running behind schedule, Dana clearly hadn't enough hands. Her appearance on Friday's Late, Late Show has caused a shift in opinion. One local woman explained: "Mary Robinson was the underdog the last time and she got elected. She was grossly underrated, and so is Dana. I think she spoke very well and handled the tough questioning from Gay Byrne. I'm now thinking of voting for her following her appearance."
Not until she reached Ardara did Dana feel she was returning home. Like Daniel O'Donnell's famous tea party for his fans, the town staged one for Dana.
Drinking tea in the office of Thomas Gildea, a Dail deputy who backed her nomination, Dana tucked into a bun. Clearly touched by the reception, the Eurovision winner sang a few lines of All Kinds of Everything after some children asked her.
She thanked everyone for the warm welcome: "I am very grateful for all the support and encouragement that you have given me and my family. We are delighted to come here.
"It is a great cross to bear having a Derry man (Father Jimmy Shiels) looking after you," Dana said. Father Shiels had nothing but praise for his former Derry neighbour. "She has got an awful lot of support here and a lot of people will be voting for her."