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3 May 2007 Edition

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Dáil General Election Profile: Cristín McAuley, Kildare North

Cristín McCauley is the Sinn Féin General Election candidate for Kildare North. Originally from Lurgan, County Armagh she is a trained youth worker and headed programs such as ‘self awareness, young women’s groups’ and after school clubs.
Cristín contested the Kildare local government elections in 2004.

What has influenced me most in becoming a political activist is...
Early memories of aggressive British Army raids on our home in the Six Counties.

The people who have inspired me the most are...
My parents for their incredible strength and humanity. Bernadette McAliskey for her political brilliance and bravery.

I think people in power should pay more attention to...
The people that put them there!

If there was one thing I could get done in North Kildare overnight it would be to...
Address the urgent need for social and affordable housing in the constituency and invest in more provisions for young people.

One thing I enjoy is...
The annual Wolfe Tone commemoration at Bodenstown, in Kildare. It’s an opportunity to meet up with friends and comrades from all over the country at an event that brings us back to what republicanism is all about – the ideals of Wolfe Tone.

The six famous people I think would be interesting guests at a dinner party would be...
Hugo Chávez, Christy Moore, Fidel Castro, Frames vocalist and guitarist Glen Hansard, spiritual writer Eckhart Tolle and chef Anthony Bourdain.

My memorable book is...
Tread Softly on my Dreams by Gretta Curren Brown. It’s a beautiful, inspirational account of the life of Robert Emmet, written in novel form.

My music is...
Anything contemporary really. Mostly listen to the Frames’ Set  List.  Favourite tracks are Love Anyway by Mike Scott (Waterboys) and Forever Young by Dylan.

In another life, I would probably be...
A nursery nurse – although I’d probably have had to emigrate for decent pay and conditions!

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