GRACE BOYLE WANTS TO BE IN POLITICS FOR ‘THE LONG HAUL’

A packed hall for the election campaign launch by Grace Boyle on Saturday night. Photo Brian Mc Daid/Cristeph

Grace Boyle has officially staked her claim to a seat on Donegal County Council – and declared she wants to be in local politics for the long haul. 

A large crowd of family, friends and supporters congregated at the Town Hall in Ramelton for the official launch of her campaign to contest for a seat in the Milford – Letterkenny area in the local elections on the 23rd of May.

Proceedings were chaired by Fine Gael’s Joe Mc Hugh TD. Cllr Noel McBride and Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh were also in attendance to wish Grace well on her campaign journey.

Sidney Roulston of the Ramelton Fine Gael branch welcomed everyone to the “holy city” and he expressed the branch’s delight that a candidate of Grace’s calibre is standing in the local elections.

A native of the Quay House in Ramelton, Grace was one of seven children born to Tudy (Hugh) and Kathleen McDaid. Grace addressed the crowd and recalled growing up in Ramelton.

She recalled fond memories of playing soccer for Swilly Rovers, playing Tennis every summer “until it got dark”, the importance of the annual Ramelton Pantomime to the people of Ramelton and the Ramelton Festival every July, where she met her husband James in 1979.

She paid tribute to the work of the local community in preserving the Town Hall, the Pantomime and with a special mention for her cousins Jean Winston and Paul McDaid for their sterling work down through the years.

Grace remembered her Father, Tudy, who was a well known character in Ramelton and who would have been very proud to see her standing in the local elections. He was a very vocal and loyal supporter of Fine Gael and Paddy Harte. Grace recalled her father’s delight when he was invited to join Paddy Harte for a short journey in the Ministerial car, when Paddy was elected as a Minister for State. Grace was joined on the night by Paddy Harte’s son, Paddy, who himself played a large part in obtaining funding for the preservation of the Town Hall in Ramelton and who offered his support to her campaign.

Grace was delighted to introduce her all-woman election team to the crowd. It is certainly a family affair, with her daughter, Letterkenny based Solicitor Sally Anne Sherry acting as her Campaign Manager and her niece, well known marketing guru Siobhán Barrett-Doherty acting as her PR manager.

Sally Anne addressed the crowd with a touching tribute to her Mother. She said that she was delighted to be her Campaign Manager and that Grace is in this for the long haul for the people of Donegal.

When the election takes place on 23rd May, the successful candidates will be taking up their positions for a 5 year term. Sally Anne emphasised the importance of voting for a candidate who will have the drive and energy to get things done for the people of Donegal throughout a 5 year term.

She cited Grace’s long-term commitment to the boards of organizations such as the Donegal Hospice, the North West 10k and her high-profile position as the Treasurer of Donegal GAA, including during Donegal’s All-Ireland success in 2012.

Sally Anne highlighted the importance of ensuring that people are registered to vote and appealed to the crowd to ensure that people get out to vote on 23rd May and to have their say on the day.

The launch was a great success and as the evening drew to a close, Grace expressed her thanks and gratitude to everyone for coming along and she is looking forward to seeing and talking with everyone in the coming months.

For daily updates on Grace’s campaign progress follow her on Facebook and Twitter. Facebook – Grace Boyle – Getting Things Done, Delivering for Donegal

Twitter – @ggboyle

Contact a member of the team on 087 3845538 or by Email to votegraceboyle@gmail.com.

The final details are being put together on the election strategy and all her focus issues this week. The details will be released soon.

 

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