Dana assures people she is not a politician and does not represent any political party. And on her first day campaigning, this appeared true. No party politician would arrive into a constituency without alerting the local radio station to her presence, but that is what Dana (Mrs Rosemary Scallon) did on Saturday. She had returned from the United States to Belfast on Friday night to appear on UTV's Gerry Kelly show, and travelled to Dublin via Dundalk and Drogheda the next day. According to her public relations office in Dublin, she was due in Drogheda about 4 p.m., at the Boyne shopping centre.
The Boyne shopping centre also houses the local radio station for the Louth-Meath area, LMFM, and when there was no sign of Dana by 4.30 p.m. The Irish Times went to ask them if they knew where she was.
"Funny, there was a German journalist in here a few minutes ago asking the same thing," said the young man at reception. "We know nothing about it. If we'd been putting it out all day that she was coming there would be a good few people here," said reporter Gerry Malone.
Another call to the press office established that yes, she was expected, but had been delayed in Dundalk, where she had had a number of media interviews as well as a visit to a shopping centre. She had been mobbed. "You know how it is with Daniel O'Donnell's fans. It was like that," said the press spokeswoman.
When she eventually reached Drogheda, shortly before 6 p.m., the first man she encountered greeted her warmly and said: "I remember you singing in Patrick O'Hagan's when you were 16 or 17. Of course I'll vote for you."
She walked through the town surrounded by her family. Her husband, Damien, walked beside her, sometimes taking her arm, sometimes putting his protectively around her shoulders. Her sister, Susan Stein, who lives in Ohio, gathered potential voters and introduced them to her. Her brother John Brown, who is managing her campaign, watched discreetly, often taking calls on his mobile phone. Her younger brother, Gerry, who in his neat suit and silent demeanour could have been a minder, took up the rear.
"Are you the wee woman from Derry," asked one woman. "I'm from Derry. I wish you all the best, pet. I'm here myself for 38 years."
She took people's arms, put her hands on their shoulders, many women kissed her warmly. All wished her well. "Will you give me a vote?" Dana asked one well-wisher. "Well, I might," she replied. "You look gorgeous."
People often commented on her appearance. A neat, slim figure, dressed in a charcoal grey trouser suit and high heels, she was the picture of elegance. "You look lovely in real life," said one woman wistfully. "You're as beautiful as you ever were," said another. "You haven't changed."
"Don't look too close," laughed Dana.
A middle-aged woman came up to her and shook her hand. "It's lovely to shake hands with you," she said. She produced a small blue leaflet from her bag. "I was in Knock last week and I got this. I gave them back one of Oliver Plunkett's for peace." She assured Susan Stein that she was giving Dana her number one.
The leaflet, which features a photograph of Dana cutting the ribbon of a Life Pregnancy Care Centre, urges readers to pray for Dana for President, and was published by the Christian Community Alliance. Dana immediately told The Irish Times that the leaflet had been published without consulting her.
She was greeted by a family with two young sons, and quickly engaged the boys in a discussion of football. "I hope you do very well, the best of luck to you," said the father.
The Irish Times asked him if he supported any party. "No I'm completely apolitical."
"Will you vote for her?"
"I'll reserve judgement 'til closer to the election," he replied.