Author Archives: Bodger

This afternoon.

Conor Wilson, of RTÉ’s Prime Time, considers the effect of general election posters in Dun Laoghaire and visits election poster-free zone Dalkey.

He also met Alan Kinsella, of Election Literature, and carried out a vox pop to see if people are persuaded to vote for those they find attractive.

Earlier: Stop That

From top: Terry Prone; Ivan Yates (right) and Matt Cooper during the Leaders’ Debate on Virgin Media One last night

Further to last night’s immoderate moderation.

How did Ivan Yates develop his lovable telly persona?

Who on Earth could craft such a character?

‘On the day of the [General Election 2007] count, Sean O’Rourke went around the studio asking who would be the outstanding candidate of the election.

…When he went to Terry [Prone], she didn’t hesitate for a second.

“The outstanding winner of the election was Ivan Yates,” she said, “He came out of nowhere, or at least out of being half-remembered and, in a matter of weeks, he became a media star. He should abandon betting and move into media.”

…Terry had already turned me into a newspaper columnist whether I liked it or not. I had done a chapter on Celtic Bookmakers for a book KPMG had produced about entrepreneurs. The Communications Clinic does consultancy and training for KPMG and decided I should talk to Tim Vaughan, editor of the Irish Examiner, about a column. He said ‘Yes’.

In the beginning, I would send my first draft to Terry for her to sub-edit and tidy up but, after a few weeks, she told me I didn’t need her anymore.

…so when Terry ordered me into doing some [television and radio] run throughs [mock interviews], I said ‘Yes, Ma’am’.

…Terry pushed me relentlessly, tolerating no excuses…she had nothing to gain. I kept offering to pay her. She kept telling me to shut up and take notes.

She seemed in charge of basic skills while Anton Savage, managing director of their company, put a useful frame around the programme.

…Our ratings began to climb, I became surer of my radio persona, helped by a note I’d made when Anton had trained me.

‘Don’t set out to be likeable, you’ll be so bland and boring you’ll have nobody listening to you.’

That gave me courage when texts came in saying, ‘Ivan, I now know you are the greatest wanker of all time’.’

Ivan Yates in Full On by Ivan Yates

She had nothing to gain.

Good times.

Earlier: “But, You’re Not Running In The Election?”

This morning.

The launch of the Social Democrats General Election 2020 manifesto with co-leaders Roisin Shortall and Catherine Murphy (top centre) surrounded by some of the 20 candidates running for the party..

The document, entitled ‘Invest in Better’, is described by the party as a roadmap for what it calls a “uniquely Irish version of the Nordic model“.

“We are what it says on the tin,” said co-leader Róisín Shortall.

“We are for investment in public services. This is not reinventing the wheel. We’re following the approach of Nordic countries that work well for everyone.”

The party said it will reshape the National Development Plan to give priority to public transport and cycling, while also putting any windfall tax gains towards the DART Underground project.

….The party is also proposing an extension of parental leave which would ensure parents can access paid leave for the first full year of a child’s life.

The first six months would continue to be composed of maternity leave, with a further six months which can be shared by the parents.

Social Democrats set out plan for improved quality of life in election manifesto (RTÉ)

This morning.

Dublin Port.

A Brexit/General Election 2020 visit by, above from left Minister for Finance and Expenditure Paschal Donohue, Minister of State for European Affairs Helen McEntee, Mairead McGuinness MEP and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney .

Tonight at 11pm Britain will leave the EU.

Earlier: A Limerick A Day

Sam Boal/Rollingenws

In fairness.

Labour first-time candidate in Dublin South West Ciarán Ahern posts another spoof video as part of his bid to get elected.

In fairness.

Last night.

Gavan Hennigan tweetz:

“Googly eyes has spread from Cork [top pic] to Galway, keep the movement going folks.”

UPDATE:

This afternoon.

Spotted on Centre Park Road in Cork city.

Via Brendan O’Brien