General Election result the 'stuff of dreams' for Portlaoise's Willie Aird in Laois after General Election

Willie Aird is arguably one of the happiest men in Laois this week after realising an ambition going back 45 years to represent his county as a TD in Dáil Éireann.

The new TD was ebullient on arrival in the Laois County Centre in Portlaoise on Saturday night, a day which would see him make history becoming the first ever TD for the new Laois constituency with a poll-topping performance.

To some, it might be remarkable that he secured so many votes at his first attempt, but in reality he was the favourite to top the poll nearly as far back as the September's Fine Gael Selection Convention. 

While he secured nearly a quarter of the 38,000 odd votes cast, it was a continuation of his performances in Portlaoise through multiple local elections. Arguably, he might have done even better had it not been for the poor national campaign mounted by his party.

While Dep Aird is proud of his elector record, he told the Leinster Express that he was even taken aback by the more than 9,000 number-one votes achieved.

"Of course I'm surprised. Whoever thought that a first-time candidate would top the poll. That's the stuff of dreams. I was also taking on outgoing minister Sean Fleming and former Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley, " he said. 

The Fine Gael man, whose grandfather William was elected a TD in 1927, puts his win down to a number of factors.

"Firstly it's the experience I had and the length of time I've been in politics," he said.

The dairy farmer also attributes some of the success to "waiting his turn" within Fine Gael for a chance to contest a General Election while Charlie Flanagan was a TD and "never getting into an argument" about his TD ambitions in the party. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Willie Aird with his sisters Caitriona and Margo after being elected at the Laois general election count. Picture: Alf Harvey.

"I was asked at several doors how did you have the patience and I said, listen, I never thought about it because I was always so busy working as a county councillor and that was my priority," he said.

As to being ahead of his party's share of the vote nationally, he attributes this to work on the ground.

"Of course that's the difference. It's about knocking on doors and name recognition. There voters outside the the Porlaoise area where I had forgotten that I had been involved with and they said to me 'Willie, now it's payback time'," he said.

He was delighted with the support in his home town and around the county.

"I got a great vote in Portlaoise, I got votes in every box," he said.

Having waited so long to get to the Dáil Dep Aird can't wait to get to Leinster House to represent constituents. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Willie Aird and his wife Anne Maria are carried shoulder high after his election at the Laois general election count. Picture: Alf Harvey.

"Of course I am chomping at the bit. I have loads of things to do and I am looking forward to it why wouldn't I be. To wait this length of time, it's like being called up to play senior or hurling or football for Laois. You'd be playing before the whistle would be blown," he said.

His list of aims to achieve in the Dáil for Laois grew longer on the canvas but Cllr Aird is pleased to have lots to do.

"I don't mind the list getting longer. The more work have the better I feel. People vote for me number one because they want me to do something for them. That is what politics is about. If you don't want that don't get into this politics," he said.

He wants others to get involved in politics especially younger people.

"I'd encourage and plead with younger people throughout Laois to please get involved if they have an interest in politics. It doesn't matter with a party or no party. I am a huge believer in democracy," he said.

In his acceptance speech at the Count Centre the farmer encouraged people to hold on to their ambitions like he has done.

"If you are dreaming of something, continue to dream because dreams can become a reality. It happened to me," he said.