“In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes”, said Benjamin Franklin famously. Well, this and maybe that Fine Gael councillor and outgoing Mayor of Galway Eddie Hoare would always wind up in politics.
When Eddie and his wife, IT expert and lifestyle influencer Pam Richardson first met, all Pam knew was that this accountant was a star senior football player for Galway who had won two Connacht Senior Titles and who was about to hang up his boots for good. She used to joke with him that he moved about Galway City like a politician, meeting and greeting everyone. But, it was only six months into their courtship that Eddie announced his political callings, though he says a life playing club-level GAA was what set him up for the job, a job we anticipate he has big ambitions in.
As he hands over his 22ct. gold chain of office to the new Mayor of Galway Peter Keane, this handsome couple look back on a year in which they welcomed their miracle baby Harper and had the honour of representing the City of The Tribes…
Pam and Eddie, you’re back where it all began at Glenlo Abbey, where the two of you tied the knot in 2021! But, this time you’re here with your miracle baby, Harper. How long did you dream of her, Pam?
Since we married, I suppose. But, like life, pregnancy just didn’t go to plan. Eventually we went down the fertility and IVF route and did several rounds and it was gut-wrenching each time it failed. We then took some time away to recover and reevaluate our next steps. It was a total emotional rollercoaster and IVF takes its toll, physically and mentally. But then out of the blue we conceived naturally and I was seven weeks pregnant before I realised because I wasn’t expecting it, because we’d kind of given up hope. And now look at us! She’s here and she’s happy and she’s healthy. We are so lucky.
So lucky. The whole IVF process can be so consuming and so tough on couples.
P: It totally consumes everything. Everywhere you look you’re so hyper-sensitive to babies and friends being pregnant and it’s not at all a begrudgery, you’re delighted for your friends, but it’s still tough. I found social media a very big trigger for me during that time. I was late into my trimester before I even announced it on Instagram (Pam has 32.2k followers on @pamrich_style) because even I, in a way, felt guilty for being pregnant.
Harper is five-months-old now, how have you found the early days because even though she was so longed for, the first child’s arrival is still such a huge life change.
P: I think I adapted to motherhood very well. It is a whirlwind at the start because you’re so besotted with this human that you have made. Harper had hip dysplasia when she was born though and she was put in a harness for the first 13 weeks. We had paediatric appointments every week and scans and physio and we couldn’t bathe her at home or take her out of her full-body brace. But, babies are so adaptable and the consultant told us that by the time she had to come out of the body brace, she was more used to it than not. It was harder for me, I think!
Eddie, it’s been a mad year and not just with a new baby! Last week you handed over your 22ct. gold chain of office. How are you reminiscing on your year as Mayor of Galway City?
Looking back you wonder how you did it at all: 600 events in a 12-month period, welcoming Harper into the world, trying to be as supportive as I could to Pam and being self-employed in an accountancy practice. I definitely had a balancing act on my hand but it was a real immense honour. I’m very proud that I got to represent this great city and its people.
The honour must be a massive motive because despite the work load, the salary is tiny!
I got into politics to try to make a positive impact on my community. Over the last five years I’ve worked very hard since being elected as a councillor. I had a really successful election too which showed me that the people were happy with how I performed because I increased my votes by over 50 per cent. Obviously what I have been doing has worked, but that brings with it more responsibility now and a bigger expectation to deliver more. My appetite and hunger is ultimately to try to create a better Galway for all. As the youngest member of Galway City Council and the youngest ever serving Mayor of the city, I wanted to try to create a city for the young population, for the likes of Harper, so the city could grow as projected. We need to have sufficient infrastructure and support structures and sufficient housing in place to enjoy the great city we have.
Many people have lost faith in politics: our housing crisis, our homeless crisis, our health crisis, our asylum crisis – the list goes on.
I know…at times I think politicians get a hard time though because often things are out of our control. For instance, transport infrastructure in Galway City has been held up for 20 years and it’s a planning issue. An Bord Plenala is the deciding body and unfortunately, that’s out of our control. Personally, I am frustrated with delivery times because I also am stuck in traffic on a daily basis, commuting to work. There’s a lot of red tape all the time.
Tell us change is coming…?
The government have brought in one of the biggest pieces of legislation that the state will ever pass, the new Planning and Development Bill and that’s going to ultimately allow for planning decisions to be made much more efficiently for places like Galway. Also last year Fine Gael built more houses in the history of the state, with upwards of 32,000, and now we are on track to deliver over 50,000 this year so, supply is coming and hopefully, we will see more houses being built and more affordable houses being sought after by young families who are trying to get their foot on the ladder. I have to acknowledge the government and Taoiseach Simon Harris who has given a massive lift to Fine Gael. I think he has connected with a younger audience and I think he is the reason why Fine Gael did do well at local elections. I think the government have been fair and upfront about what we can and can’t deliver and I think it’s coming to pass that the public is beginning to see that the unrealistic promises of the opposition just simply aren’t possible.
Political and public life comes at a cost. We imagine that until you get home and close your front door no one is really leaving you alone!
And Pam would agree that the phone never stops! But as a public representative and as a young politician, I’ve always said that I’m open and contactable. I try to make myself as available to the public as possible to avoid that disconnect.
Have you big ambitions beyond being a councillor in Fine Gael?
Getting into politics you always have ambitions to go further. I always said I’d look no further than June and if my vote improved in June it would tell me if I was doing something right or wrong. Definitely, I have ambitions, but in the short to medium term I’m here as an elected member of the City Council to support my Oireachtas colleagues in Senator Sean Kyne and Minister Hildegarde Naughton, TD, and that’s what I’ll do until Fine Gael as a party think otherwise. But definitely, I have ambitions, yes.
What advice would you give to the new Mayor of Galway, Peter Keane?
Firstly to wish him well. Peter is a long-serving politician of 15 years, his family is steeped in politics and, he’s a practising solicitor. I would advise Peter to enjoy it and embrace it. It’s such an honour.
Pam, no doubt you supported Eddie on his year-long journey as Mayor but you must be happy now to have him back.
For sure it was busy! But we embraced it. Time went really fast. I am very proud of Eddie, he did a great year and nothing phased him.
We read that the two of you met on Tinder.
P: We did! We matched on Tinder and the rest is history! A lot of people these days are meeting online and on dating forums; years ago it wasn’t the norm but it is now. When we met I never knew he was into politics and the joke was that I used to say to him, ‘You move around like a politician’ because he knew everybody. It was only in early 2019 I discovered his interest when he asked me how would I feel if he got into politics.
E: I did always have an interest in politics. I think because I was involved in Galway Senior Football from 2008 to 2016 and won two Connacht Senior Titles with them, I was already involved in the public arena at a community level. Our club St. Michaels was a very homely club, a tight-knit community.
Do you think playing senior football set you up for a life in politics?
It did in a way. Being involved in sports you learn how to be a good winner; how to be a good loser; how to respect the opposition and how to cooperate with your teammates and management. It’s the same structure in government and in business. I owe a lot to the sport.
Do you miss playing?
I did initially, yes. But now it’s a new chapter for me with being a dad and being in politics.
How long before Harper is out playing?!
St. Michaels GAA have a thriving ladies’ club which is great. We’ll get Harper in the blue and white jersey of Michaels yet and the blue shirt of Fine Gael!
Any plans for the summer?
P: We have to get a passport for Harper first, then maybe away in the autumn. I’m on maternity leave from my IT company until next year; I want to cherish this time with Harper because it might be my only chance. I want to see all her firsts.