You couldn’t move on social media on the weekend of the election for people decrying why so many voters were voting for ‘more of the same’.

Sure the election is over for ages now, they say. Inasmuch as people are still talking about politics, the talk you hear is that the result was clear.

Art O’Leary, the chief executive of the Electoral Commission, has just publicly admitted that the Irish electoral register could be inflated by as much as 500,000 names through duplication or through not removing people who have died.

After months of waiting and expectation, the long-awaited sequel to Gladiator arrived at my local cinema. I was characteristically early, too early, enduring the 20 minutes of adverts by gorging on my supply of popcorn and coke.

First things first. The Irish flag is not a rag to be wrapped around the shoulders of individuals of the far right (mainly) or indeed protestors of whatever colour or clique who wish to challenge the current order, not to mention the law of the land.

In just two Dáil terms the political order in Mayo has been transformed. We wrote last week about how it was historic that Mayo elected two women to the Dáil for the first time ever.

Lorraine Burnell is a powerhouse – a literal pocket rocket. The Belmullet native aspired to be a Garda in her early youth but the height restriction prevented her from following that path.

With a seat added and Michael Ring retiring, everyone knew there would be at least one new face heading to Leinster House to represent Mayo in the 34th Dáil.

Our Ox Mountain hills are small compared to the Swiss Alps but believe it or not, there is a connection.

In the pause after the election campaign concluded and the last seat was filled, politicians and public drew a collective breath. Assessments included 'Not very memorable' and 'Much ado about very little'.