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Dublin\u2019s Mansion House was awash with green, white and orange \u2013 complete with a horse and cart at the gates \u2013 as Sinn F\u00e9in launched its election manifesto.<\/p>\nDublin\u2019s Mansion House was awash with green, white and orange \u2013 complete with a horse and cart at the gates \u2013 as Sinn F\u00e9in launched its election manifesto.<\/p>\n
The site of the first D\u00e1il in 1918, which returned a Sinn F\u00e9in majority, was chosen by the party to reflect its hope for a historic gain at the ballot box with 42 candidates in 32 constituencies.<\/p>\n
Buoyed by recent opinion polling which showed the party neck-and-neck with Fine Gael, more than 100 delegates, MLAs, senators, would-be TDs and even babies in buggies gathered in the Round Room to hear the party set out its stall as the \u201conly real alternative\u201d to the two major parties.<\/p>\n
Actress Fionnuala Flanagan took to the stage first to list the achievements of the party in recent years.<\/p>\n
She was followed by John Finucane, MP for North Belfast, who spelled out the party\u2019s stance on unity.<\/p>\n
Mr Finucane, who took his seat from DUP stalwart Nigel Dodds, said the party had made history and \u201cended the unionist majority in the north forever\u201d, while setting out the \u201cchallenges for Republicans\u201d in creating a diverse and inclusive united Ireland.<\/p>\n
TD Pearse Doherty, dubbed \u201cthe scourge of the establishment\u201d by party leader Mary Lou McDonald, delivered a speech decrying the \u201cposh boys\u201d in Fine Gael.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey know that the stronger Sinn F\u00e9in gets, the more people respond to our message, their power and privilege will come to an end,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I\u2019m not one to pass comment on opinion polls, but what is clear is the two most recent opinion polls show Sinn F\u00e9in neck-and-neck with Fine Gael.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe represent the greatest hope for those who want this country to be run in the interests of its people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms McDonald took to the stage last and took the audience back 100 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn this election, we remain the inheritors of the revolutionary vision of Markievicz, MacSwiney and Mellows,\u201d she said before taking aim at the \u201cthree wise men of failed government\u201d \u2013 Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Labour leader Brendan Howlin and Fianna Fail\u2019s Micheal Martin.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt times of economic prosperity, at times of recession and during times of recovery, the story for workers and families has remained the same,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnder Fine Gael and Fianna F\u00e1il, those at the top are protected, they prosper in good times and in bad.<\/p>\n
“The landlords, the banks, the vulture funds and the insurance companies always find themselves at the front of the queue.<\/p>\n
\u201cWorkers and families, those who do the heavy lifting in Irish society, are told to wait at the back for a break that never comes.<\/p>\n
\u201cSinn F\u00e9in wants to end this cycle. We want to transform Irish politics and change our country.\u201d<\/p>\n
Health and housing remain top priorities for the party, and are seen as the most emotive categories on the doorsteps as the homeless crisis and trolley numbers continue to dominate headlines.<\/p>\n
An Irish national health service, more nurses and beds, and \u201cdelivering the biggest public housing building program Ireland has ever seen\u201d, were cited as the \u201creal alternative\u201d policies to the \u201cstatus quo\u201d.<\/p>\n
The event ended with a standing ovation for former leader Gerry Adams, who is not contesting the election.<\/p>\n
Mr Adams \u2013 who has grown his hair since Stormont collapsed \u2013 was described by Ms McDonald as \u201cgoing from Pierce Brosnan to Barry Gibb\u201d, and clapped along with the crowds before hugging his party colleagues.<\/p>\n