THURSDAY
The Governor
In the Abbey Hotel tonight, it was one of those slightly nervy occasions where everyone present is asked to introduce themselves… to everyone else sitting around the table.
There were 24 at the ‘table’. It was fine, because we all pretty much knew one another anyway… except for a few special guests.
When it came to the guest of honour, he casually said: “I’m Gabriel… and I’m the Governor of the Central Bank”.
So he won.
It was an informal Dinner, hosted by Roscommon Chamber of Commerce, and yes, the guest of honour was indeed the Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, one Mr Gabriel Makhlouf.
He turned out to be very dapper and charming and gracious. In the role since 2019, Mr Makhlouf is a British national who was born in Egypt. Previously Secretary to the New Zealand Treasury, he was Private Secretary to then British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown (who later served as UK Prime Minister).
A soft-spoken individual, ‘The Governor’ initially addressed his fellow guests, before taking questions (there were many) on a range of subjects over Dinner. In broad terms, he chatted on the economy, the EU, and future monetary policy, while in a more micro sense commenting on a myriad of issues and challenges, including climate change, electric vehicles, the advent of AI, how the Central Bank interacts with Government, planning, the €13bn apple ‘windfall’, etc.
I wasn’t present in a journalistic capacity (as it wasn’t a public meeting), but given the Governor’s repeated references to both planning (policy and attitudes) and the ever-present need for infrastructural development, I did offer this wry comment: “Speaking of planning and transport infrastructure, it’s good to see that the €360,000 bike shed went ahead at Leinster House”.
The Man from the Central Bank saw the funny side.
Most questions were more serious, ‘The Governor’ very engaging and open with his responses. His overall message was positive. Ireland’s economy is going very well. Inflation is down. We are at full employment. He didn’t shy from expressing views on the shadow cast by the housing supply deficit. It was an interesting and enjoyable evening.
FRIDAY
All-Stars
Congratulations to Roscommon duo Brian Stack and Diarmuid Murtagh who were confirmed as 2024 All-Star nominees last night. This is richly deserved recognition for two magnificent footballers, leaders for club and county.
SATURDAY/SUNDAY
Being entertained…
It was a special sporting weekend, one that stirred the emotions, lifting the heart and powering adrenaline into those of us who are wedded to sport’s magical appeal.
In the great story of this weekend’s sporting drama, much of the most enthralling prose was penned in Roscommon, where the senior club championship erupted into dizzying overdrive.
On foot of all the somewhat unexpected drama and excitement, there are dazed folks still drooling over the championship thrills of the past two days, insisting their faith in Gaelic football has been restored and that our own ‘beautiful game’ can be rescued from the grip of the ultra-cautious tacticians.
There were so many bright lights dazzling over the weekend. On Saturday, Connacht just lost out in a United Rugby Championship thriller at Thomond Park, Munster winning 35-33.
Epic drama was unfolding that same evening in the race to be crowned Kings of Roscommon football. Oran seemed on course for the last eight when they led Michael Glaveys by seven with less than ten minutes on the clock, but somehow the Ballinlough club clawed victory from defeat.
Meanwhile, a classic encounter between Clann na nGael and St Faithleach’s had those present enthralled. With Diarmuid Murtagh displaying his great range of skills in a vintage performance, the Ballyleague club edged it in extra-time.
Trying to stop Murtagh when he’s in this form is like trying to catch the breeze.
On Sunday, after Roscommon Gaels defeated Boyle to reach the last four, I enjoyed three thrilling close encounters on TV.
First there was that rare failure of St Brigid’s to close out a game when three up late on against an excellent Padraig Pearses. The Woodmount club calmly drew level, before securing a famous win in extra-time.
After that drama on TG4, I switched to Manchester City v Arsenal on Sky Sports, followed by an exciting play-off in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, where American Billy Horschel lowered an eagle putt to deny Rory McIlroy.
The City-Arsenal game was fantastic entertainment. It ended 2-2. Needless to say there was histrionics from both managers!
Somewhere in the middle of it all Anthony Joshua was dropped to the canvas with a fierce right hook. Like Joshua, I didn’t see it at the time.
*When we were chatting about what had been such a memorable sporting Sunday on TV, a friend reminded me of the ‘Are you not entertained?’ line from Gladiator. Hence another excellent cartoon from Paraic Newman accompanies my ramblings this week!
MONDAY
FG Convention
Last Friday’s Fine Gael Convention in the Abbey Hotel was another reminder of what a tough old business politics is.
Senator Aisling Dolan ran for Fine Gael in the 2020 General Election, polling a fairly respectable 5,466 first preferences, but ultimately failing to win a seat. She still seemed in pole position to be the Fine Gael front-runner next time out.
Senator Dolan is a very personable politician and she certainly has left no stone unturned in seeking to build her profile and position herself as a prospective Fine Gael TD.
But politics is indeed a tough old business. Just a few weeks ago Cllr John Naughten declared that he too would seek a nomination.
Cllr Naughten is a very popular public representative and he was always likely to attract a lot of support at convention. As it turned out, he won the ‘head to head’ with Senator Dolan. Dympna Daly-Finn was also selected (without a vote). See report on page 10.
*As we go to press, there is some speculation that Senator Dolan could yet be added, making a three-candidate ticket. We will watch this space!
