ⓒ The Irish Times
Holly Cairns, leader of Ireland’s Social Democrats, gave birth to a baby girl on the day of the general election. The announcement was made via Instagram, with Cairns expressing her and her partner’s overwhelming joy. The timing of the birth, coinciding with the election, has generated considerable online attention and well wishes.
Cairns, standing for re-election in Cork South-West, has been open about her pregnancy since June. While she remained active as party leader throughout, her deputy, Cian O’Callaghan, filled in for her at several pre-election events, including a key televised debate.
Despite being one of the smaller parties in the Dáil, the Social Democrats are seen as a potential coalition partner depending on the election results. Cairns, at 35, is the youngest party leader in Ireland, a fact highlighted by the media in contrast to the age of the Prime Minister.
Her unexpected hospital visit on Thursday, for a pre-arranged check-up, saw her urging supporters to vote before the polls closed. Her comments about the importance of the next 24 hours took on a new and personal significance. The event also highlighted the challenges faced by women in politics, a point underscored by her colleague Jennifer Whitmore’s comments on supporting women in these circumstances.
The birth of Cairns’ daughter adds a unique and heartwarming dimension to Ireland’s election narrative.
