‘I’m buzzing’: Presidential candidate Heather Humphreys returns to cultural centre during Meath campaign stop
On a grey, cloudy morning, Fine Gael presidential candidate Heather Humphreys returned to a familiar site – Trim’s Swift Cultural Centre in Meath.
The visit, part of her campaign for Áras an Uachtaráin, was both a homecoming and a chance to highlight her vision for the arts in Ireland.
Ms Humphreys, who officially opened the centre in 2023, beamed as she walked through the doors once more. “It is a lovely centre,” she said.
“I remember standing up there and giving a speech. It’s good to be back.”
When asked if the rigours of campaigning had left her tired, she laughed it off with energy to spare.
The tour included the historic old church adjoining the facility, before moving to the theatre and library.
The highlight came in the theatre, where Ms Humphreys was swept into a rendition of Beauty and the Beast, led by Gwen Bagnall of the Trim Musical Society. The candidate joined in enthusiastically.
“It’s so important for artists to have a proper place to perform,” Ms Humphreys said afterwards.
“I can assure you that if I get to the Áras, I’ll focus on the arts.”
She praised the centre as a hub for creativity. “This is a wonderful art centre. It's a performance space as well, and it's attached to the library. There’s so much happening here. I was delighted to be here back in 2023 when I officially opened this project.”
Funded by Meath County Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development, the centre, she said, is about "bringing people together.”
“It’s such a wonderful facility, and it’s so important as a country that we invest in our facilities for the arts.”
Reflecting on the global reach of Irish culture, she added: “When we go abroad, our artistic endeavours are often a calling card. When we talk about our writers, our poets, it’s fantastic, and we’re so proud of them.”
“When I was Minister for arts, I was able to go to America on many occasions, and we were talking about Yeats….about all the many great artists that we have. So it's great to see that people are enjoying this, and particularly It was nice to hear that people who have performed here in Trim as young people, they're now in the West End performing. That's quite an achievement.”