The suave urban leader of the Labour Party immersed himself in the ancient rural tradition of going out with the Wran in the heart of Dublin 4 yesterday, and revealed his long-term political ambitions.
Mr Ruairi Quinn's predecessor, Mr Dick Spring, would be more familiar with the custom, having observed it in its one-time Kerry stronghold, but Mr Quinn, a Dubliner, is adaptable and as the leader of a broadly-based party is more than willing to embrace all traditions.
In fact, 13 years ago, he was one of those enthusiastic souls who revived the tradition of the Wran in the city, donned colourful dress and celebrated with music and song in Sandymount, which is in his Dublin South East constituency. In the early years, Mr Quinn dressed as an Arab and a Viking, but last year he was in the casual clothes of a Labour Minister for Finance finalising his Budget. Yesterday in Sandymount Green he was dressed in the casual clothes of a Labour leader. Asked if he would prefer to be present as Minister for Finance or Labour leader, Mr Quinn thought carefully and replied: "In future I would like to be here as both." So, prospective coalition partners take note that, in the fullness of time, it could be Ruairi Quinn, Tanaiste and Minister for Finance, attending the Wran celebrations.
"I grew up near here, so I would not have been familiar with the tradition of going out with the Wran when I was a youngster, but I am delighted to have been among those who have revived it in Dublin," he said. Yesterday's celebrations included the usual poetry reading in O'Reilly's pub, the parade to the Green and a concert, with compere Peter Murphy, once a familiar voice presenting rural programmes on RTE radio and television. The official opening was performed by Mr Quinn's constituency colleague, the Fianna Fail TD and deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mr Eoin Ryan, who observed: "It proves that Sandymount is completely pagan, when you see the strength of this festival."
Tom Ahern, from Clane, Co Kildare, as town crier, made sure that the citizens of Sandymount, awaking from their Christmas slumber, were aware that the Wran boys and girls were on the march, and collecting, as they always do, for Cerebral Palsy Ireland. Retired bank executive Mr Bob Ryan, a founder-member of the Wran group, has commemorated its launch in verse. Entitled An Ode to Monsieur Tom Ahern, it reads:
'Twas Christmas time in eighty-five,
A few old hardchaws, still alive.
Their turkey's bones in holly guzzled
All ran from Nesbits, slightly puzzled.
The word was out, 'tis on again
Off Raglan Road, they're doing the Wran.
The smallest bird had taken flight,
In Mulligans 'twas said, that night,
That everything was being inverted,
You could, with luck, be just converted.
On Stephen's Day, now here's your chance,
In Sandymount, perhaps to dance . . .
