Presidential Candidate Michael D Higgins will be on the campaign trail in county Clare today, while also paying an emotional visit to what he calls his "home town"
The former Labour Party TD will open the village carnival in Newmarket-on-Fergus, where he spent his formative years
Michael D. Higgins, has spoken previously of his early years spent "on a small farm near Newmarket-on-Fergus, with his brother John and their unmarried uncle and aunt, where as a child he "learnt about poverty and loss but also about compassion and the power of possibility even in difficult times "
The Labour candidate for the presidency said his early life in Clare helped shape his commitment to social justice and his understanding of the need to support "the 1.1 million children and young people in Ireland who rely on their adult fellow citizens to ensure their protection, participation and nurturing in the years ahead.
Michael D has said he’s delighted to be returning to Newmarket on Fergus as a candidate in the race for Aras an Uachtaráin to open the local festival later. – He’ll also open the Ennis Guitar School at the Elevation Business Park and will launch the Clare branch of Labour Youth in Lucas’s in Parnell Street later this evening.
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Meanwhile – it’s The Labour Candidate and an Independent Dragon who are topping the Clare dot FM poll for president.
Visitors to www.clare.fm have given 32% support to Businessman Sean Gallagher in his bid for the Aras – with Michael D Higgins following close behind on 29%.
Just 8% of those surveyed are opting for Fine Gael’s Gay Mitchell, there’s 5% support for Mary Davis and 26% of those who took part in the poll voted for an other candidate – who may yet emerge ahead of the October elections.
