Presidential candidate Seán Gallagher needed no introduction to former Clare hurling manager, Mike McNamara when he stopped off in his licensed premises before an official engagement for East Clare Tourism on Thursday night last.

“You are a legend in these parts,” declared Mr Gallagher to the former Clare hurling physical trainer as the two of them proceeded to discuss politics, hurling and issues affecting business.
After a bit of gentle persuasion, the former co-founder of Smarthomes spoke about his vision for the Presidency of Ireland.  He believes people should go back to basics and concentrate on local enterprise to build a new economy, community by community and advised everyone to ignore the doom and gloom created by the recession.
He proposes that entrepreneurs concentrate on exploiting Ireland’s natural resources, such as tourism, and invest in community projects.
Asked if he felt his previous association with Fianna Fáil might go against him in light of their poor performance at the General Election, the former Dragons Den judge pointed out that while he was involved with the party, he never stood as a public representative.
Stressing he is standing as an independent candidate, he said the Presidency is above party politics.
“During my listening tour of the country the message has come back loud and clear that the electorate want someone fresh and someone with experience of the reality of life on the ground,” he said.
He said he really appreciated the provisional indication of support from the majority of Clare county councillors, which was formally ratified on Monday.
Mr Gallagher started his day with a trip to the Cliffs of Moher and the visitor centre. Backing the campaign for the Cliffs to be recognised as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, he proposed that all tourism agencies and local community groups work together to ensure that more people who visit the Cliffs stay in the county to increase the economic spin-off.
“I am very supportive of any measure that could potentially increase tourism, as it is vital for the creation and maintenance of local jobs,” he said.
Having experienced unemployment three times in the past, he was delighted to meet staff, volunteers and service users in the Clare Supported Employment Service, who are celebrating their 10th anniversary.
Later in the day he travelled to Scariff Community College, where he met with students and staff and was struck by the enthusiasm and optimism.
In a wide-ranging address, he spoke about to students about their hopes for the future and stressed that being confident in their own ability is the key to securing employment and preventing the waste of youthful talent created by emigration.
He also visited Irish Seedsavers Association in Scariff and Clare Accessible Transport.

Confirmed as candidate

SEAN Gallagher was confirmed as a candidate in the race for the Presidency on Tuesday, after getting nominations from Clare County Council and Cork City Council.
Along with already received nominations from Meath and Leitrim County Councils, these were enough to secure the Louth entrepreneur’s place in the election.
At the Clare County Council meeting, Councillor Michael Begley put forward a motion backing the entry of Mr Gallagher. Green party Councillor Brian Meaney questioned the fact that the description of Mr Gallagher on the motion didn’t make reference to his former membership of the Fianna Fáil national executive. However, when Councillor Joe Arkins told the meeting that Fine Gael would be abstaining from the vote, it was clear Mr Gallagher would get the body’s approval.
When the vote took place, 15 councillors, including Fianna Fáil members and a couple of Independents, backed the Gallagher nomination. Fourteen others abstained, while Independent Patricia McCarthy voted against.
Councillor Begley said he wanted to thank the council on behalf of Mr Gallagher for helping give him the opportunity to put his name forward. In a tweet following the meeting, Mr Gallagher said he was delighted to receive the support of Clare County Council.