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'Great crew of babysitters and canvassers' - FF's Ardagh on campaigning with newborn twins

Fianna Fáil general election candidate Catherine Ardagh says having a reliable team of 'babysitt...
Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

13.58 30 Jan 2020


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'Great crew of babysitters and...

'Great crew of babysitters and canvassers' - FF's Ardagh on campaigning with newborn twins

Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

13.58 30 Jan 2020


Share this article


Fianna Fáil general election candidate Catherine Ardagh says having a reliable team of 'babysitters and canvassers' has allowed her to campaign while also caring for her newborn baby sons. 

Senator Ardagh gave birth to twins - Darragh Óg and Seán - just over a month ago, on December 29th.

The general election, meanwhile, was called on January 14th - meaning the Fianna Fáil politician had to start balancing caring for two newborns while dealing with the demands of the campaign trail.

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Newstalk's Susan Keogh spoke to Senator Ardagh for the Pat Kenny Show.

The Dublin South-Central candidate explained: "The timing wasn't ideal, but sure what's meant to be will be and I have great support.

"I'm able to keep going, and I've worked very hard over the last four years."

She explained that she has a "great crew of babysitters and minders and canvassers and volunteers", which has helped her balance her time between caring for her new babies and campaigning for a Dáil seat.

'Pretty much a blur'

Discussing those first few days and weeks after giving birth, she observed: "It's all pretty much a blur to me - and I think that's the same way for a lot of new parents.

"I think we had a week where we weren't really thinking about elections, and I think it was a week into the boys' lives that an election was sprung on them."

For now, Senator Ardagh says everyone's sticking to a "regimented routine".

She explained: "We're very much into timetables - scheduling minders, scheduling my time with the boys, scheduling canvassing times.

"We're running two timetables side-by-side for the next few weeks. They're obviously very small, tiny babies - so they require a lot of minding."

"Hopefully once the election's over, myself and my husband might get our paternity and maternity leave for at least a week or two."

Speaking about her response to online criticism, Senator Ardagh observed: "Out of 100 comments, I might have five negative comments... where people were like 'you should be home with your children'. Ultimately I think people are very supportive.

"You have to realise social media is social media... I advise any candidate in this election not to take anything on social media too seriously. You look at your friends, your families and your colleagues - if they all love you and respect you, that's what's important."

Main image: Pictured is Fianna Fáil party leader Micheál Martin and Senator Catherine Ardagh with her twins, Darragh and Sean. Photo: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie

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