In Pictures: A warm Donegal welcome for Heather Humphreys on final campaign call

Presidential hopeful Heather Humphreys’ final port of call on her campaign trail was Killaghtee Parish Hall in rural Donegal. Click on the arrows to see photos from her visit:

Accompanied by Tánaiste Simon Harris TD, she received a warm welcome from party stalwarts and members of the community. The church hall is in the parish that is home to former councillor, John Boyle, and his sons, Senator Manus Boyle and Cllr Michael Boyle, and they led with welcome. Former minister Dinny McGinley was also there supporting Deputy Humphreys, as were numerous party faithful and parishioners. 

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Community has been a strong focus of her campaign, and this was underlined on the final day of the election campaign. 

Tánaiste Simon Harris told Donegal Live: “Heather has a deep sense of community, and here in the parish hall we see there is a picture of her from her previous visit when she opened the recreation park and playground in Bruckless.”

Deputy Harris said he believed that there was an appreciation in Donegal for the fact that Deputy Humphreys was a woman who played a conciliatory role in the sectarian divide.

“There is a lot of talk about unification,” he said. “You can only have unification if you talk to people and open yourself up to that engagement.

“I don’t think we have had that kind of president since Mary McAleese.”

While opinion polls are not indicating a victory, the Tánaiste nonetheless remains optimistic for his party’s candidate.

“A lot of people are still undecided,” he said. “I am asking people to think about the kind of president they want, and to give their votes to Heather even if they do not normally vote Fine Gael. She has a lot of support from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.”

In addressing those gathered, the Tánaiste described Deputy Humphreys as ‘a legend’ and ‘a brilliant person’ full of compassion, decency and common sense.

“These are three things we need in the next president of Ireland.”

The Tánaiste said he believed that there was a silent majority out there.

And he personally pledged his vote, saying: “I will be voting for the type of Ireland that I want to live in, an Ireland that is pro-Europe and will keep discussion open with America.”

Deputy Harris warned against paying too much attention to the polls, reminding those gathered that President Michael D Higgins had not polled strongly, yet had gone on to serve two terms. 

“Votes decide the result, not polls” he said. “I know in my heart and in my head that a vote for Heather Humphreys will be a vote for common sense and decency, and Heather will not drop the ball.”

Senator Manus Boyle and former minister, Dinny McGinley both spoke strongly in favour of their party’s candidate, citing her warmth, support and community spirit.

Deputy Humphreys thanked her campaign team and the people of Killaghtee for putting on delicious refreshments and welcoming the campaigners at very short notice.

“I got a great welcome,” she said. 

Regarding the election, Deputy Humphreys said she was confident that the people of middle Ireland would come out and support her. 

“I have experience in bringing people together and reaching out the hand of friendship,” she said. “I remember when Arlene Foster was thinking about going to the Ulster Final in Clones but wasn’t sure if she should, I contacted her and asked if she would like to attend along with me, and she did. 

“Reaching out and trying to build bridges, that is what I will do if elected.”