Leo makes at least one Sinn Féiner toe the line

THERE’S LEO, learning in his own time, getting better and better at the Irish. Not making a big deal about it either.

THERE’S LEO, learning in his own time, getting better and better at the Irish. Not making a big deal about it either.

We thought of him during the week as Gerry Adams continued using Leaders Questions as a handy vehicle for practising his cúpla focal. Minister Varadkar went to the Donegal Gaeltacht this summer to improve his understanding of the language. He recently told listeners to the John Murray radio show that he enjoyed his time in Glencolmcille.

Since that interview, the Leinster House gossips have been trying to establish the identity of the mysterious Japanese girl he alluded to on the programme, but with no success.

Nor is he revealing the name of his dancing partner at the Céili Mór during his stay. It appears there was “a gender imbalance” among students on the course, many of whom were members of Sinn Féin, following in the footsteps of Gerry and brushing up on their Irish. There were far fewer women than men at the céili. This meant Fine Gael blueblood Leo ended up partnered with a male Sinn Féin councillor.

What an image – the Blueshirt Minister and the Shinner disciple, twirling around and doing the Walls of Limerick together.

Please God, let there be photographs.

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Miriam Lord

Miriam Lord

Miriam Lord is a colour writer and columnist with The Irish Times. She writes the Dáil Sketch, and her review of political happenings, Miriam Lord’s Week, appears every Saturday