‘ I DO HAVE REGRETS’
MARC MACSHARRY INTERVIEW
AS a little boy Marc MacSharry remembers sitting on the wall of his family house in Pearse Road watching out for his Dad’s car to return home on a Friday evening. Being the youngest of six children with a five year gap between him and his siblings, Marc was, his Dad jokes ‘ either a surprise or a mistake - depending on how he is doing.’
There is no denying the close relationship between the Fianna Fail TD and his father, former EU commissioner Ray MacSharry. Marc was the only one to follow in his father’s footsteps to embark on a life in politics. Although when the young Sligo Chamber of Commerce CEO contested the Senate election in May 2000, his father did not actively encourage him.
“As a parent my father would not have wanted us to enter politics because of how tough and imposing it can be. It is difficult to have a normal life. Everyone knows it is a job for the thick skinned and is so demanding in terms of time. He told me, ‘ Don’t do this, it may not be the right thing.’ But he was speaking in a caring way. He is still my biggest supporter.”
Marc was born into politics in 1973. His father, who was to become a household name had already been a TD since 1967.
He recalls a happy childhood with Mum Elaine, who passed away from cancer in 2008, holding the fort during the week when his father was ‘ away for work.’
“The resources were not there to spoil us but we never wanted for anything. Every spare moment Dad had he spent with us. We would go for a spin and always do something.”
Election times stand out in his memory. “I remember helping to put up posters, going around in the van with the music blaring. There was a fun element attached to it.”
But being in the public eye was not always easy for the Mac Sharry family. Marc recalls the furore over the tape recording controversy involving Martin Donoghue during the 1980’ s which led to his father’s resignation from the front bench.
He maintains: “I am proud of his motives and proud of his contribution to Irish political life. His decisions were always based on common sense. That is what drove him from a very modest background of 10 kids from St. Patrick’s Terrace in Sligo town.
“He started off selling eggs from hens in the back garden of his house as a ten- yearold and by the time he was in Summerhill College he was leasing land out at Calry. He bought his first delivery truck on hire purchase at 17 and a few years later when he married at 22, he had four trucks on the road. He joined the junior chamber of commerce and from there went into politics in 1967 and has not looked back.”
Ray MacSharry worked closesly with the late Charles Haughey. Marc has his own views on this particular association.
“It was a political friendship as oppose to personal. He would not for one second have condoned his lifestyle. When you think of that era one of the single thing I am most proud of was that Dad’s career was unblemished.”
Does being compared to his father - and often times in an unfair manner matter to 43- year- old Marc?
As a senator from 2002 to 2016 and a TD since then, Marc believes he is his own man. He has earned his stripes. And although he regards his father as a mentor, he does not have to rely on his advice as much as he once did.
“I will not be measuring my success against the heights of his career. Dad would be the first to say that he was very lucky and in the right place at the right time. I find it a little frustrating that I am often compared to Ray MacSharry on his best day. My ambition is not to match or exceed his achievements but to do the best that I can do with my own ability. Dad is a sounding board. I run things by him, but not everything. As I get more experience I consult him less.”
The MacSharry family has been described as a Dynasty.
“I always have issues with the word Dynasty when it comes to us. How many plumbers have sons who are plumbers? There’s 13 years between me entering politics and Dad leaving,” Marc says.
“In a political context Dad was box office. For years he was Minister for Finance in the 80’ s when the country was under huge pressure and Agriculture Minister at a crucial time in CAP negotiations. In terms of name recognition, 40 years ago, being his son may have been an advantage but that era has long gone.”
Being a MacSharry in Sligo though means Marc is instantly recognised. He is aware too that in a small town people talk. He admits the past few years have been difficult as a result of his marriage breakdown.
Speaking for the first time on record, Marc says the split has been emotionally draining.
“I was married for 11 years. When anyone gets married it is forever and that is what I set out to do.
“Everyone gets married for ever and that’s the intention. It’s unfortunate when it doesn’t work out. The reasons are diverse , complex and immensely personal to those involved. Sadly these things happen and the children are the absolutely priority in the circumstances as they are all that count. That’s the priority.”
Marc says he is now in a happy relationship with a woman he met a year ago. His biggest regret however is how the break- up of his marriage has impacted on his three adorable children, a boy, and two girls.
So life now is changed and getting used to a new reality has its own challenges. Marc is renting a cottage in Ransboro, his recently finished dream home close by in Cullenamore on the market.
“It is difficult,” he says, “Because you are getting used to whole new system. You have to keep yourself sane, make sure that you can provide for your children and do the best you can do to be the best Dad.”
Marc adores his children but says one of the down sides of his chosen career is how it eats into family time.
IT’S A MATTER OF REGRET THAT RELATIONSHIPS BREAK DOWN. WHEN ANYONE GETS MARRIED IT IS FOREVER. THAT’S THE INTENTION. IT’S UNFORTUNATE WHEN IT DOESN’T WORK OUT.
“I get on great with my children. I do my best but there is no question my job means I’m away so much of the time.” When with them, the loyal Bit O’ Red supporter likes to go to the Sligo Rovers home games. The busy politician says he does not get much down time. “It’s work or the kids really.”
He has no time for hobbies but has a weakness for treasure hunt documentaries on SKY. His favourite film is the Godfather and the last book he read was Donnie Brasco. “I’m not into the mafia!” he jokes.
Sligo is home for the FF deputy who says his job as a politician is to push the agenda for the north west. He fears ‘ Leo could be too eastern focused as a Taoiseach’ but says he is ‘ largerly indifferent’ when it comes to the Fine Gael Leadership contest. And as for his political aspirations going all the way to the top, he jokes: “I have ambitions to do the Warriors Run but it won’t be this year. Being the leader of the country is not on my bucket list.”
One thing is for certain, his unwavering loyalty to his home place: “Sligo is full of characters who are great fun. It’s an incredible place to live.”