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THE OLD ADAGE goes that politicians wear the soles off their shoes during a campaign.
But how much of their day is really spent knocking on doors, kissing babies and arguing with local opponents?
RollingNews.ie photographer Leon Farrell has been spending more than 12 hours with general election candidates to see exactly what they get up to.
First up was Labour TD John Lyons as he fights to be re-elected in Dublin North-West.
Farrell gave TheJournal.ie exclusive access to his photo diary, allowing us a glimpse into a day of campaigning and canvassing.
7.45am
After rising earlier, Lyons welcomed Farrell into his home at Poppintree in Ballymun to snap him getting ready for the day.
A porridge and honey breakfast is the first bit of sustenance for the long day ahead.
Then a few minutes are taken to have a quick scan of the news and online correspondence. Waking up on Tuesday morning, the airwaves are dominated by talk of gangland crimes in the aftermath of Eddie Hutch Senior’s murder.
8.30am
Last minute preparations include another brush of the teeth, a shine of the shoes and a decision on tie colour.
9am
And then it’s out the door to squeeze in a couple of hours of canvassing, in the hope of meeting some locals and getting votes in the bag.
10am
The photographer was observing people’s reaction to his subject all day and told us he was surprised the response to Lyons in the Ballymun area was so overwhelmingly positive.
There was a lot of applauding for him about the marriage referendum, on which Lyons had campaigned strongly, he said.
Most are aware that on his election five years ago, he became one of the first openly gay members of Dáil Eireann. The second was his Labour party colleague, Dominic Hannigan.
Lyons has previously told TheJournal.ie, however, that he would prefer not to have to talk openly about his sexuality in order to advance issues he feels strongly about such as same-sex marriage.
Alice Burke, 71, was one such person only delighted to see the TD at her door – a somewhat different reaction to what many Labour representatives are experiencing across the country.
Although, it isn’t all rosey out there. Lyons had difficult questions to answer in relation to concerns aired by constituents about homelessness, rising rent costs and access to healthcare.
He has conceded previously that Labour’s Tesco ‘every little hurts’ ad from 2011 has ‘haunted the party’ while in government. So these questions about how his party is not protecting the vulnerable make for frank conversations.
In 2011, Lyons was elected after the seventh count in Dublin North West with 14.63% of the first preference vote. He had been a member of Dublin City Council for the Ballymun-Finglas area for three years.
11am
Hoping to emulate that result, he briefly checks in with members of his campaign team back at home.
11.30am
Lyons has to take a break from meeting potential voters to touch base with his boss, Labour party leader Joan Burton, at a DCU media opportunity.
As part of the tour of the university’s workshops, Lyons volunteers himself as a guinea pig.
He takes a spin on a bike which examines his VO2 to check his heartbeat and fitness level.
Burton, as the party leader, has her own media entourage everywhere she goes these days, and Lyons get caught up in the spotlight momentarily.
And, there are always selfies to be taken too. Of course. These delighted-looking lads are from St Aidan’s, near the DCU campus.
2pm
But it’s soon time to get back to Ballymun for a trip down memory lane.
First up is Lyons’s old school, Trinity Comprehensive, where the pupils are showing off their 1916 exhibition.
Joan came along for the spin and they were both well-received, according to Farrell.
3pm
We all got a glimpse into Lyons’s close relationship with his mother, Josie, on marriage referendum voting day last year, so naturally, he brought his boss around to hers for pancakes. The day that was in it, and all.
She has made sure to make clear where her allegiances lie, with a good big poster of her son in the garden.
After the visit, Lyons heads to TempleBar to register his intention to run in the constituency.
8pm
With that important task completed, it’s time to start pounding the pavements again.
At about 8pm, the rain started and he took shelter while canvassing around the Prospect Avenue areas in Glasnevin.
10pm
His team have been out for about five hours so by 10pm, it’s almost home time…
10.30pm
There hasn’t been much time for food since the pancake, so Lyons rustles something together from his fridge.
11.00pm
A little relaxing with David Attenborough before bed, and it’s time to start all over again.
All image: Leon Farrell/RollingNews.ie
Earlier: ‘Come over here’: Gerry and Enda shook hands in Sligo this morning
More: The results of the first poll taken DURING the election aren’t great news for the coalition
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