‘I could do the President’s job well’ says Mary Kennedy but cites spending time with her grandchildren as the reason for not running

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Many people have said it to Mary Kennedy to put her name forward as President and while she likes the idea, she’s not tempted to put her hat in the ring

Speaking in Sligo where she is filming for the next series of Moving West, Mary said:

“I love the role of the Presidency. I love everything it stands for. I am absolutely rivetted by all the comings and goings and I will follow the election campaign process and the debates with interest.

“So many people, you have no idea how many people have said it to me since the beginning of the year. It would be a very nice job and I feel I would do it well but I am at a stage in life where I am 71 at the end of this month and these are very special years.

"I have five grandchildren and another one on the way and I don't know how many years I have left and I want to spend as much time invigorated by work like this but also be able to see my grandchildren get a little bit older.

“We have surpassed ourselves with the calibre of presidents that we have had, especially in more recent times when they have been more visible. Mary Robinson was a complete trailblazer. Mary McAleese is the most inclusive person.

"She and I do a podcast together and Michael D, each of them unique and very different but wonderful ambassadors for Ireland both at home and abroad.

"Look at Ireland on the world stage. For a tiny, tiny country we are held up as role models for the way you live your life, the way you treat people and the way you welcome people. Everywhere you go in the world where there is want or poverty or people who need help you will find Irish people and I am very proud of that and I think we all should be very proud of ourselves as Irish people.”

The arrival of September and the end of the summer holidays saw a noticeable turn in the weather but it also marked the return to Sligo of the ‘Moving West’ cameras where the focus is very much on all the great things that are on offer in Ireland’s more rural locations.

The fourth series of the hit television show which focuses on individuals, families and businesses who make the brave but ultimately rewarding decision to relocate to the west of the country in search of a better quality of life is currently being filmed in various locations and on Monday last the crew and presenter Mary Kennedy were in Rosses Point.

As the wind howled and the unrelenting rain kept driving, it may have been difficult to see the full attraction of Sligo as a relocation destination. However, as Mary Kennedy spoke to The Sligo Champion from the comfort of her car, she became mesmerised by the sight of the brave kite surfers crashing into and over the Atlantic Ocean waves as the magic of the area began to reveal itself.

For those with a love of outdoors, adventure sports and pushing boundaries the weather is usually of secondary importance. When coupled with cheaper accommodation, shorter commutes and the abundance of natural beauty spots it quickly becomes clear the attraction that Sligo offers to many.

Speaking about the history of the popular programme, Mary said it was something that grew out of the pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns.

“It grew out of the fact when Covid happened and people had to work remotely. People from the west of Ireland who may have been working in cities and abroad came home and realised they could work quite effectively from these beautiful surroundings. The hybrid working came in with the development of the hubs and people had gotten a flavour for living in a less frenetic environment.”

Giving an example of the successful stories she encounters while filming for ‘Moving West', Mary referenced a local man who has returned home after 10 years and is now rearing his young family and running his own business.

“I was talking to David O’Connor. He is originally from Mullaghmore, now living in Sligo but had spent 10 years living in New Zealand. When he came back and was looking for accommodation, he found that when he reached out, and you have to reach out, they were so helpful. He is very glad he went away but he is also glad that he has come back now.

"He is married to a Connemara woman and they have two small children. He loves the peace, the tranquillity and the can do attitude. He has opened a business, ‘Wild West Sailing’ and it is supporting him, his lifestyle and he also just mentioned in passing that his brother live across the field and he has two small children as well and these cousins are growing up almost together.

"It's almost like going back to former times when different generations of families were all being reared in the same home. It’s lovely, it's very wholesome, people centred and a healthy way of life.”

Having spoken with so many people who have successfully relocated she urges anyone considering taking the plunge to go for it but make sure to have the research done and to embrace being part of a new community.

“I hope people say let’s give it a try because everyone I have asked when I am interviewing them say, ‘just do it’. Do your research, visit the place, explore it and when you do it you have got to make yourself visible in the community. You cannot expect people to come knocking on the door and saying ‘are you lonely in there?’ It just doesn’t happen.”

Another death defying move from the kite surfers in front of us brought an exclaim from Mary who shouted, “Look at your man. His board is out of the water.”

That proved as good an opportunity as any to steer the conversation towards another job that many have suggested the former RTÉ Nationwide presenter would be very good at as the country prepares to seek a successor to Michael D Higgins.

Moving West will air on TG4 in the spring.