FURROWED PLOUGHS

Proud Dub' Gavin says he feels at home on farm | Championships opened by outgoing President Higgins

- BY OISIN DOHERTY

JIM Gavin has said farming is "in his DNA" as he responded to criticism of his first presidential campaign video which was shot on a farm.

In the footage, Gavin, who is the Fianna Fail candidate for the upcoming election, speaks about his honour at being asked to run for the presidency.

And he recalls the pride he felt when he wore the uniform of the defence forces "at home and overseas".

Uploaded to his official campaign Instagram platform, the video shows Gavin opening a gate and entering a farm, before it depicts the ex-Dublin football manager walking in a field of cows.

Other parts show Gavin speaking with a toddler, having a conversation with two men on the farm, before it ends with the candidate speaking down the camera while cuddling a dog.

The video has drawn criticism from some corners of social media, with users questioning the authenticity and sincerity of Gavin strolling around a farm of a Sunday afternoon.

"The crouching down to pet the dog at the last shot was so cringey and overly staged," said one social media user, with another saying, "Not bolting the gate, and wearing cream trousers working on the farm? Give me a break."

"Lovely white trousers. Ideal for farming" wrote another, with the general feeling on social media being that Gavin was 'cosplaying' as a farmer.

BACKLASH

When asked about the backlash to the video, Gavin, speaking at a Fianna Fail event in Cork responded by explaining how farming has been in his blood for many years.