It's probably what kings invented PMs for, and what PMs think of monarchs

My core political philosophy boils down first be cynical, then prepare for disappointment. So I already assume that President Connolly will do sfa, despite her promises. She knows the limits of her role. But I sincerely hope she rattles a few cages. Go n-eírí an t-ádh léi #aras25

this is a feature of Ireland having an excruciatingly centralised system of government. Not only is there effectively zero power in local authorities, but central government is concentrated in the executive. Let's face it, the Dáil just guillotines whatever MM says it should #speirgorm #aras25

despite incessant bleating of pol scientists that 'the President can't do that', it seems that the electorate do prefer candidates who are willing to push the boundaries of the role, just a little bit. Higgins, frankly, had the govt scared every time he spoke #aras25 #speirgorm

Two things strike me over the last 30 years of #aras25 races: a) we are consistently electing lefty/progressive presidents while sticking with conservative governments. #speirgorm

I reckon it all boils down to being neat to have just one person to scapegoat when it all goes tits up

dropping out of the #aras25 race because you want to marry a divorcée vs abdicating the throne because you owe a former tenant three grand ⚖

We are pretty unusal afaik to have the combination of a largely ceremonial yet directly-elected President. Add in the usual 7+7 year terms, and you get a constitutional monarchy in all but name. The entire election campaign has become a discourse entirely centred character
#speirgorm #aras25

I think it would make a great film!

It would have been facile for some continental princeling to be installed as the 'old man in the Park', do the needful, sign whatever was put in front of him and otherwise not embarrass the government of the day. The history of the 'republic' would have been otherwise effectively the same #speirgorm

Think how things might have been different - no effort has been made to remove the trappings of the British Empire from Dublin Castle. It has been meticulously restored. No one thought to raze the place to the ground given all it represents, and everything that happened therein #speirgorm #aras25

the answer is he had a daughter and it turns out she is Florence Pugh

The latest of the Dowdall crosses, others at Duleek and Slane. Unfortunately, I don't think there is actually any information available at any of them

I'm fairly sure John was a member of Redmond's National Volunteers who answered the call to defend small nations, so Ireland in turn would gain her freedom. I suspect this because his brother Henry had been, as stated in his Military Service Pension file.

To be fair, this family emigrated twice, first to Philiadelphia, then back to Ireland, then to Glasgow, so perhaps it isn't surprising that they became lost to our memory. But there is also the politics of it, which I think about a lot

This John was part of my paternal line which was almost entirely forgotten by my family. We only knew that my 2nd great grandfather had a brother John, but no one knew what became of him, or his family. The John who died in France was his eldest son, making him my first cousin thrice removed