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HE MADE THE front cover of Time magazine, came out on top after tough negotiations with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and saw two referendums pass successfully.
But 2012 wasn’t all positive for Enda Kenny. It’s been a bumpy road. Let’s take a look.
The Taoiseach’s year begain in Britain, with one of many meetings with his British counterpart David Cameron. They promised to keep Anglo-Irish relations a matter of importance, a promise they have stuck to throughout the year. Kenny later went on to meet a number of victim groups, still searching for answers over the tragedies of the Troubles. Although he met the families of the 10 victims and sole survivor of the Kingsmills massacre, he was criticised for not offering them an apology. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Kenny took some slack for this image of him and the former French President Nicolas Sarkozy joking about on 30 Januaray as Europe’s leaders were participating in serious talks about the debt crisis. Gerry Adams accused him of acting “like an eejit“. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Whatever else, Enda is the most up-for-it Taoiseach in a photocall we’ve had since Bertie and his yellow pants. (Image: Niall Carson/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
It was seen as a bit of a PR coup for Kenny’s party when former athlete Senator Eamon Coughlan announced he was joining Fine Gael. (Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire)
Another win for Kenny in February as he got Bill Clinton on board to sell Ireland as the best small country in the world in which to do business. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Kenny didn’t want to take China’s Vice President Xi Jinping on in a game of hurling in case he’d embarrass him. He settled for a handshake on 19 Febuary. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
Enda spent NONE of the State’s money on makeup this year. The same could not be said for previous taoisigh. Here, he is getting powdered before a television appearance on the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange on 19 March. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
He won’t be breaking up the Obama/Cameron bromance (Obamaron or Cabama, if you will) any time soon but Enda got comfortable in the White House for the annual St. Patrick’s Day visit. (Image: AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Fine Gael members admire their leader after he delivered his keynote address at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis on 1 April. (Niall Carson/PA Wire)
Remember when we were all excited for the Euros and loved Trap? Oh. (Image: Julien Behal/PA Wire)
One of Kenny’s most serious and troublesome tasks is trying to get Ireland back to work. Here he announces much needed jobs in Baldoyle. (Image: Niall Carson)
Getting the referendum on the Stability Treaty passed was probably Kenny and the Government’s (and Europe’s) biggest phew-moment of the year. (Image: Julien Behal)
There were still occasions for some smiles though, such as at the Punchestown Festival. (Image: Julien Behal/PA Wire)
The summer started with campaign smiles for the Stability Treaty and ended with campaign smiles for the Children’s Referendum. (Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire)
Another adorable photo shoot on the steps of Leinster House. (Image: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland)
Ireland and Italy continuing to provide headaches to Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, who is also the president of the Eurogroup.
Maybe he is trying to break up the bromance? (Image: AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Special treatment in the polling station as Kenny and his wife are given a cuppa and a biscuit (although they are plain ones) on voting day in the EU Fiscal Treaty referendum. (Image: Julien Behal)
As the nation voted on 31 May and the count was underway on 1 June, Kenny had the craic with young members of his constituency and at the Bord Bia Bloom festival in the Phoenix Park.
But he soon got back to business, announcing the Yes result at Government buildings that afternoon. (Image: Peter Morrison/PA Wire)
Later that month, the 50th International Eucharistic Congress came to Croke Park. (Image: Julian Behal/PA Wire)
It was a bloody wet summer. (Image: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland)
More plans for more jobs. (Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire)
Congratulating Nicole Schappert from the US after her win in the Womens mile at the Morton Pre-Games at Morton Stadium in Dublin on 26 July. (Image: Niall carson/PA Wire)
Getting ready for the London Olympics with Irish Athletes Aileen Morrison and Olive Loughnane on 26 July in Twickenham. (Image: Julian Behal/PA Wire)
Covering all bases with Mitt Romney (just in case) in July. (Image: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Having the chats with Evelyn McCormack, 4, and six-year-old Peig Waters. (Image: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland)
Honouring Ireland's Olympic heroes at a reception in Farmleigh. Kenny was one of the first in to congratulate Irish superhero Katie Taylor. (Image: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland)
Cheers to the new Eirgrid East-West Interconnector in September. (Image: Julian Behal/PA Wire)
The obligatory looking-silly-at-the-National-Ploughing-Championships photo. (Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire)
Welcoming home double gold medallists Jason Smyth and Michael McKillop, as well as the rest of the triumphant Irish Paralympian team. (Image: Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland)
In a stroke of political (luck or genius, depending on how you look at things), Kenny convinced German Chancellor Angela Merkel to make a joint statement, announcing to the world Ireland's financial problems are a "special case", which require special treatment. (Image: AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
Getting people to actually vote on Saturday, 24 November in the Children's Referendum proved more difficult than getting those who did vote to say Yes. The final turnout was a paltry 33.49 per cent. (Image: Julien Behal/PA Wire)
Kenny visted Austria as part of Irelands preparations to take over the EU Presidency next year. Chancellor Werner Faymann welcomes him to the federal chancellery in Vienna. (Image: AP Photo/Ronald Zak)
The 11 November was a historic day as he attended a commemoration ceremony at Enniskillen cenotaph, on the 25th anniversary of the IRA Poppy Day bomb attack which claimed the lives of 12 people. He lay a wreath of green laurels (and not the traditional poppies) on behalf of the Government of Ireland. (Image: Paul Faith/PA Wire)
Members of the Palestrina choir on the steps of Government Buildings in Dublin with Taoiseach Enda Kenny to mark the launch of their Christmas Carol Concert at the National Concert Hall on 9 December and to celebrate the fact that Pope Benedict XVI has invited the choir to perform for him. (Image: Julien Behal/PA Wire)
The Taoiseach is joined by Gerry Adams, Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore, and Micheal Martin at the annual turning on of the Christmas Tree lights at Leinster House, Dublin on 4 December. (Image: Julien Behal/PA Wire)
In one of her last duties as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton came to Dublin for the 19th Ministerial Council of the OSCE. Kenny showed her his Michael Collins. (Image: Julien Behal/PA Wire)
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I’ve had Crohn’s for over 30 years- and whenever I’m out and about have to carry a change of underwear and/or clothes with me- just incase I don’t get to a loo on time. People don’t see that there is anything wrong with you- and don’t make allowances. I got given out to by one woman in Liffey Valley when I had to use a disabled loo last weekend. Its not even that she was disabled and needed to use it- because I didn’t look ill- I was being evil for using it. Sometimes you really just want to curl up in a ball and cry.
I’m one of the lucky ones who manages to hold down a job- though I have deliberately tailored the posts I’ve gone for to try to make the most of my abilities- without my health being adversely affected. But even when you’re more than capable of doing a job- you still have to put up with work colleagues who makes a massive deal about having some extra clothes hidden away for emergencies (along with shower gear etc). It doesn’t need to affect them- but ‘no way are you entitled to anything that isn’t available to me’. So- you end up giving up the cupboard you had been offered- simply to shut them up. That its now used to store a few boxes of envelopes that aren’t going to be used until next August, is irrelevant- you aren’t being given an accommodation that someone else who knows best doesn’t think you need.
The manner in which you don’t look ill- even though you may be taking painkillers that would anaesthesise a horse alongside steroids at a level that would ban you from any competitive sport for life- means you are constantly apologising for your existence. I actually feel sad rather than annoyed when I get well meaning comments along the lines of- ‘Well, you’re out of hospital and you look fine again- isn’t it great that you’re cured’. I could launch into an explanation- a very true but graphic explanation- but when the person is actually well-meaning- and despite the fact that you’re in pain to the extent that you can’t stand up straight- its easier to simply agree- yes, I feel a lot better than I did last week (without adding- a blood transfusion and a week on IV Cortisone- has helped- and I’ll be going back for more blood transfusions in a week or two).
Darren- I know you’re trying to be funny- its not funny though- and quips like yours only make it worse for those of us whose life is badly affected by disease.
The unseen nature of Crohn’s and Colitis- and the reticence among people to acknowledge the issues- because unfortunately they are graphic in nature- means- along with having a physical disease- most sufferers are also forced to suffer in silence- alongside the ridiculous comments we constantly get from those around us- many relating to dietary advice (if I had tuppence for every person who told me I’d be fine if I avoided glutten, or dairy, or ate more vegetables, or went on the Atkins diet- or whatever the current fad du jour might be- I’d be a wealthy person).
Life is hard enough- without suffering in silence- and silence is what most people with Crohn’s and Colitis are confined to- they are the diseases that dare not be spoken of. Its good that we have had a few articles on Crohn’s and Colitis in the Journal in the last week. If they help even one person not make an inappropriate or nasty comment to a sufferer- they’ll have been well worth while.
Well said, Shane. I hope it gets better for you
Shane,
I’ve had Crohn’s for the past 26 years and that is a perfect summery of the condition.
I’ve now had a total colectomy and Proctectomy with a permanent illeostomy and it has changed my life.
Hope things get better for you.
Very well said Shane.
Have you tried the Facebook support groups? It’s so nice to be able to share the more unpleasant aspects of these diseases with people who genuinely understand. You can find them under “Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis Ireland” or “Crohn’s and Colitis UK forum” if you’re interested.
I hope you’re keeping as well as possible and I wish you all the best.
Very brave girl for sharing her story
Well put Shane McCarrick . I had UC ( Ulcerative colitis) for over 10 year had to know every Pub, hotel and toilet on the way to work, Make sure your on a Train with a toilet , Having to leave work without notice because you need to change. Ended with Colon Cancer ( which is now gone happy days) and now have a colostomy bag and living a full life.
Good luck with your treatment Shane and I hope everything goes well. A note to people if you have any of the Symptoms get it checked out and don’t put it down to bad food or drink. This may save your life.
To all the people who thinks its funny try living with food poisoning every day of your life.
Incredibly proud to say this girl is a dear friend of mine. Well done Ali!
Very proud of you for raising awareness Ali x
Few friends have Crohn’s. Have a look into the MAP vaccine ongoing research – seems promising.
You lot making a joke about it you’s are a disgrace I won’t say I hope you’s never get it because I do then see how you’s would feel I haven’t got it myself but know people who have and it’s an awful disease.
Hear hear Shanr. Have it 20+ years and agree with everything u r saying. It is a hidden disease and u may look well but u never are right. Plus side affects include among other things arthritis and can also affect sight.
Hi everyone,
I just want to say thank you to Christina for the article and to everyone for reading it and sharing their experiences :)
To the jokers all I’ll say is thanks for the giggle! There’s many times with this disease where you just have to laugh because otherwise you’d cry! ;)
Fair play Alison for talking out, I suffer from ibs and its terrible, worse than child birth, ibs is not as extreme as colitis or Crohns but none the less I could be queuing up and then it hits you luckily some shops are good and and if you need the toilet they are very good, it really does screw things up.
So proud of you Alison for telling your story. You have never let Crohn’s define you. You have always managed it with the utmost dignity. Well done on telling people about this silent disease. Your proud Mam xo.
I know a guy from home who everyon e assumed was drug addict coz hed lost weight.apparently had chrons.people are so judgemental .screw da haters.
My god, what a bunch of horrible trolls! I’d love for one of you to spend a day in our lives and see how much of a joking matter it isn’t! You wouldn’t last 10 minutes!
To all my fellow IBDers, keep fighting, keep strong, keep positive. I know there are days (or weeks or months) when you want to curl up into a ball and cry (me today) but tomorrow things might be better. I have children, I can’t let this disease get me down and I know it’s damn hard to keep up your spirits when you spend most of your day on the loo. Just think, it could be worse, you could be like one of those insensitive trolls above
Sounds like a right Bummer
You’re a prize pr1ck!
Massive , massive credit due to anybody who publicly discloses such an intimate and sensitive issue to raise awareness.
Like most sensitive issues in life,it takes huge courage which by definition is beyond most people to reveal such a personal condition publicly – thats obviously not a slight against those who don’t possess the necessary confidence to disclose such problems,just a statement of recognition of the immense strength of character to make any potential issue for which you may be judged ; be it bowel issues,being gay ,mental health issues, childhood abuse etc.
As someone utterly ignorant of the day-to-day effects of Crohn’s Disease ,thanks to Alison,Shane et al for enlightening me. I wouldn’t condemn the trolls too much either – in the age of the internet,personal discomforts of strangers on most issues is grist for the mill for ‘puns’ by would be comedians – there’s no personal malice involved- just thoughtless insensitivities about strangers to win attention from other online strangers.
Well done again – ye should be proud of yerselves for yer courage.
Thank you very much John, that means a lot to me :)
Sounds like a load of a scutter to me
Three clowns taken advantage of someone illness.
Would you make jokes about cancer? Joking about long-term illness is as low as it gets. Someone’s struggles aren’t something for you to belittle.
My wife is forever saying I don’t pay her any attention. So yesterday I was expecting brownie points when I said, “Have you had your hair done dear? You look different.”
She went ballistic. I won’t forget she’s having chemotherapy again in a hurry!!
Neildarkmind you are a Phukking simpleton.
So proud of you Alison for telling your story. You have never let Crohn’s define you. You have always managed it with the utmost dignity. Well done love for spreading the word on this silent disease. Your very proud Mam xo.
@ Anthony how inconsiderate of u
What a lot of comedians here today….here’s hoping you never have to suffer the daily agony and have some idiot make jokes about it.
On a practical level…I believe in the UK people with bowel conditions are given a card that allows them access to toilet facilities in shops businesses etc that normally wouldn’t allow public access. It simply states that the holder is suffering from a non-infectious condition but can need immediate access to toilet facilities.
Well done to Alison for speaking out…it’s a difficult one to explain to people…without discussing your bowel habits to people who don’t really know and don’t really want to hear that kind of detail!!!
Sonia Sullivan comes to mind.
Anthony, perhaps someday Karma will sneak up on you and give you a right kick up the ar$e and maybe you will realise the pain and suffering people with Chrons and UC are going through everyday of their lives. It is one of the most horrible diseases that anyone could have.
Game of chrones
I hope everything comes out ok!
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