SIX VYING FOR SEAT AS MAYOR OF BARNTOWN

THE RUSSIAN hackers will probably turn a blind eye to this one, but the race is on to be elected the Mayor of Barntown.

An initiative of the finance committee in Barntown Church, the parish fundraising event kicks off on January 6.

Six brave candidates have put their names forward – Donie O’Dowd, Martina Brazzill, Mag Gurhy, Billy Codd, Tom Dempsey and Declan Power – in what is hoped will be a good-humoured yet serious competition to be installed as the local first citizen – ‘Your Worship, The Mayor of Barntown.’

Run over 13 weeks, the candidates have been set various challenges which will include fancy dress parades, ‘come dine with me’ competitions, rowing trials across the Slaney, manning a stall at the parish field day, to name but a few.

Fr John Carroll said the new Mayor will be entitled to a weekly (non transferable) free pint at Mary Jo’s, a complimentary weekly copy of The Wexford People newspaper from O’Brien’s at Larkin’s Cross, freedom to graze sheep and goats on parish lands and deference through being addressed with the appropriate public title ‘Your Worship’ (with optional curtsy) on all public occasions.

The New Mayor will officially perform the opening of the newly developed parish sports grounds once elected.

Every Friday fortnight, a gathering will take place at Mary Jo’s to assess what stage the campaigns are at, hand in monies and hear the views of pundits in fun nights compered by local impresario Declan Donlan.

Candidates are busy putting management teams in place. Some are already bringing in the money with coffee mornings and draws for firewood. It’s all systems go at Barntown. With each euro raised equivalent to a vote, it truly is a case of ‘vote early, vote often and may the best (wo)man win’!

Further details on the ‘Race to be Mayor of Barntown’ Facebook page.