I never thought I'd have the American oath of allegiance, taken when you become a US citizen, quoted at me as a negative but it happened on a radio show here to me.
The issue is whether by becoming a dual citizen I have forfeited my right to run for political office in Ireland.
The presenter on Newstalk radio zeroes right in on it after a British writer for the Irish Times raised the issue.
It seems a spurious argument, given that I have worked on Irish issues, spent the first 26 years of my life in Ireland and have always been entirely comfortable with my allegiance to both countries. I will yield to no one on my right to be Irish.
Little Irelanders, however, want people to think otherwise, that somehow coming from abroad threatens what they hold dear.
Thankfully, they are a small but vocal minority.
Overall it has been a fascinating experience.
Day one of my trip to Ireland to pursue the nomination for the Irish presidency begins in the radio studio of Irish broadcasting legend Pat Kenny on RTE the state channel.
Kenny is the go-to guy in Irish radio for decades, a tough presenter but fair, who pulls no punches.
Just before the red light comes on I see him shuffling his copious notes and wonder what he is going to hit me with.
In the event the interview is fair but tough. The Irish Times screed by London Times obituary writer Walter Ellis, accusing me of being anti-British Royal family and too extreme gets an airing but I am comfortable answering the questions.
If the worst my opponents can throw at me is that I question the magnificence of the British Royal family to an audience in the Irish Republic I am on pretty safe grounds.
The comments that come in during the interview reflect that.
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READ MORE:
Michael D Higgins to contest Irish Presidential Election for Labour Party
Niall O'Dowd seeks Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein nominations
Niall O'Dowd: A first endorsement and a strange new reality- I'm an alien
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The observations are mostly complimentary. I think that is due to one key fact.
The major declared candidates for this job are running on lifelong resumes as politicians, several from the now discredited European Parliament.
The last people Irish want to hear from right now are politicians given the mess the country is in.
There is also a clear dearth of ideas among those candidates, with mostly touchy feely yak yak about national conversations and kumbaya sentiments.
I take the tack that I can help with jobs, tourism and education.
It is a practical appeal and it seems to go over well. People have had it with slogans and backslapping.
Outside the studio an RTE, Ireland's national broadcaster crew interviews me. Later I do an interview with The Irish Times who are clearly irritated by my candidacy judging by the Ellis article and some snide letters.
It is amazing how the most insular views about outsiders are often expressed in the most sophisticated circles.
But I have have made one piece of personal history. The famed IrishTimes cartoonist Martyn Turner, a national treasure, has portrayed me in the Tuesday newspaper as one of the candidiates, decked out in my Uncle Sam outfit. HIlarious.
The Matt Cooper show on Today FM later that night throws me a curveball. Matt asks me at the end "Have I ever inhaled?" Immediately I respond that I did and we both burst out laughing, realizing the absurdity of the original Bill Clinton response.
On Tuesday morning heading back to my hotel I see the American Ambassador Dan Rooney getting out of his car to attend mass in the city.When I go to the dining room in my hotel the Prime Minister Enda Kenny is having breakfast there with some people.
That's Ireland, gloriously sometimes frustratingly, intimate.
So that is it for Day One on the trail in Ireland.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.themurphia | Jun 24, 2011, 11:04 AM EDT
Searlit: I understand what you are saying however the Political Establishement is essentially a boys club that reflects what is valued by Society...Women's narratives are not considered an important part of the mainstream 'conversation' therefore are not articulated Instead they are marginalised to voluntary/interst goups or public/charitable bodies.Unfortuately women particularly Irish women seem to collude in their second class citizenship being caught between the Church and the State...You only have to read a recent debate in the Dail where the sexual innuendo about two leading International women Politicians was the equivalent of schoolboy sniggering...It is only now some 40 odd tears later that Society is beginning to understand the 'sex object' debate...sorta... and is finally requiring retailers to stop sexualising children... I'm a little battle weary having fought these issues for what seems like forever so it's up to the new feminists to take up the causes now...Good Luck...
Searlit | Jun 23, 2011, 08:10 PM EDT
@themurphia, by women's issues, I meant the human rights of all women. It is shocking to see that human rights abuses such as, the trafficking of women and girls aren't being dealt with effectively. Also, the allowance of control, and suppression of women by different religious groups has ill effects on all women.
themurphia | Jun 23, 2011, 07:43 AM EDT
Niall: According to another poster since you were born on the Island of Ireland ergo Constitutionally an Irish citizen... and if there is no bar on the President holding dual Naionality this issue should be put to bed for once and for all...it's a distraction but one you will have to address once the meeja get stuck in to you... Amongst your connections you must be able to find a Constitutional lawyer who can answer this question definitively...
kinvara7 | Jun 23, 2011, 07:12 AM EDT
@themurphia: Mary McAleese was an Irish citizen she couldn’t have become president otherwise; the Constitution of Ireland states in Article 12.4 that: Candidates must be Irish citizens aged 35 or more. She was born on the island of Ireland, and the law at that time granted automatic citizenship to her. Furthermore, if you are an Irish citizen, you may also hold dual citizenship. Your post baffles me, do you expect us to just make Niall president the minute he expresses an interest in the job? Surely you accept that in a democracy, the people and the media have a right to question candidates. The tone and content of Niall’s articles raise questions over his suitability for the role. Finally, how exactly is Niall being treated like an illegal immigrant? The reality is Niall has been hyper sensitive to pretty mild comments about the novelty of an Irish American candidate. I am still looking forward to hearing more from Niall, and I do hope he runs a good campaign.
themurphia | Jun 23, 2011, 05:01 AM EDT
Niall: Front page news today on the IT comments pages...lovely piece by Bruce Morrison...The Irish at home are a quare lot altogether..they have been bellyaching about the State of the Nation and the damage caused by the FF'ers since 2008...Having got rid of Tweedledum they elected Tweedle dee..the result after 100 days not a lot really...before the election they were crying out for people with business acumen and skills the entrepreneurs, the get up and go guy...now they have the prospect of one they are saying he's 'an alien'...well a couple of them...This issue of the dual Nationality needs to be addressed...Mary McAleese was not 'a citizen' of the Republic yet she was elected...you need to find out how. The other oddity is that the very ones decrying your candidacy are probably the same who would vote for a candidate who wants to be President of a Republic he thinks should never have separted from the British Empire or gained Independence...Bizarre or what...? If the Irish miss out on this opportunity Niall then maybe it's time for the Diaspora to cut the umbilical cord and leave home for good...Get this Constitutional issue sorted out and get this monkey off your back so that the positive ideas you bring to the table can be the focus not this ID distraction...Ironic really that an Irishman is being trested as an illegal immigrant in his own country...You couldn't make it up...but it's there and needs to be dealt with...Amen
DennisQ | Jun 23, 2011, 01:19 AM EDT
Best of luck to Niall O'Dowd in this venture. You're the guy to shake them up, all right! I'm so pleased at this development it overshadows all kinds of negativity. Good man yourself, Niall.
MacGiobuinR | Jun 22, 2011, 08:52 PM EDT
Good Luck to ye Mr. O'Dowd. Being a Republic I guess the doors are open to all who so desire to run for office. And it is also open to "arm chair" political analyst and their take on things. Just remember that with most of the public you could give them a Euro and they couldn't buy a clue. But who has any Euro's to spare?
ohrightyeah | Jun 22, 2011, 06:35 PM EDT
There is an arrogance about your turn of phrase in this piece which will not endear you to the Irish public. Little Irelanders? Firstly, the European Parliament, for all its fault, is hardly 'discredited' and to dismiss the ideas of other candidates as yak-yak is a bit insulting to people who have served their country for many years. You also seem to confuse the role of President with the head of the IDA. Your rhetoric about jobs is very crowd-pleasing, but the electorate in "insular" little Ireland is much more sophisticated than you seem to think. People know the limits of the presidency and the role someone can play. Its not a businessman people want, it's someone who they feel represents them and the country well. In that regard, I'd be less worried about your views on British Royalty, and more worried about how hyper-sensitive you are. I remember you several times on Irish radio taking offence at something The Simpsons, or Family Guy said about Irish people that most of the rest of us found funny. But then, as now, I suspect your motive was just to generate publicity for this website. In that regard, I guess the presidential campaign is a success so far.
themurphia | Jun 22, 2011, 05:34 PM EDT
Don't mind the negative comments Niall they just can't bear the thought of you leaving but don't know how to say it in case they appear soft...!;")
KerryLKing | Jun 22, 2011, 11:46 AM EDT
Best of Luck to you Niall. I'm sure Irealnd will be the better for it if you attain the office. Just as the US needs a "smart business person" to run the country....instead of "politicians"....so would Ireland benefit from it. It's about time that governments realize that knowing how to "back-slap & kiss the babies in the crowd" WON'T help an ECONOMY. Get a savvy business person in office to run the country like a business. And as far as the rest of the gobbledy-gook being thrown by Ellis & certain others...it should be a non-issue. I was born in America, as was my father. His mother came from the fair isles of Ireland. And I, myself, have visited the country 10 times....and couldn't love it more if I had been born there. It's a matter of "how much you treasure a place" and want to see it at it's best....that will be the person to steer the country into the right direction. So, after you're the President, if you ever need some help....I'd be happy to assist you. Would even give up my nice warm, sunny location here in Orlando to do my part for Ireland...one of the best countries on this planet!!!!
Paulinebyrne | Jun 22, 2011, 10:17 AM EDT
I think you are an opportunist, into self promotion for whose benefit? I hope the people of Ireland use their common sense and send you packing.
themurphia | Jun 22, 2011, 02:08 AM EDT
Well Niall whatever you're doing you must be doing something right..another article in the (sh)IT...it's an attempt at (not very good) satire from their very own in house Unionist...I told you it had an Orange tinge... nil illigitibus carborandum...!
Rebelforce | Jun 21, 2011, 05:08 PM EDT
Joycean, I'm aware that the Irish Government automatically claims everyone on the island of Ireland as an Irish citizen, but I was wondering if President McAleese was ever asked about dual citizenship when she ran for office since she was born a British "subject" in Belfast.
themurphia | Jun 21, 2011, 04:31 PM EDT
Are these comments from the inmates of some type of Asylum or substance abuse facility...this is so banal it beggars belief...If you decide to run all the best I think you're going to need it if this is your demographic. Slan
sirpeter | Jun 21, 2011, 04:23 PM EDT
antoman lol. OK!Grab the wheel quick!! This will be hard going until Creaky and Georgie's bodies slide out from under the van.Da Da Daaaaaa!! Do Do Do Dooooo!!
antoman | Jun 21, 2011, 04:09 PM EDT
Da Da Daaaaaa!! Do Do Do Dooooo!!..shouts to sirpeter behind the wheel of A-Team van "its your turn to push biy!"
sirpeter | Jun 21, 2011, 03:50 PM EDT
@johnjacob.Neill was referring to the RIRA ect as Young Irelanders a revolutionary group in Ireland in the mid 19th century.I presume that's what he meant by Little Irelanders.
johnjacob | Jun 21, 2011, 03:33 PM EDT
Mr. O'Dowd, Be warned, attempting to depict yourself as above the politicians of Ireland and "Little Irelanders" displays an arrogance this country has become unaccustomed at the Áras in your absence. And a tad unwise given that you are seeking to have these same politicians nominate you, no? Unless of course you wish to suggest that FF and SF are less populated by back-slapping, slogans and "yak yak" than other parties on this island. The President of Ireland must take and subscribe to the following declaration to take office: "In the presence of Almighty God I ,do solemnly and sincerely promise and declare that I will maintain the Constitution of Ireland and uphold its laws, that I will fulfil my duties faithfully and conscientiously in accordance with the Constitution and the law, and that I will dedicate my abilities to the service and welfare of the people of Ireland. May God direct and sustain me." In the event of your election do you intend to take that declaration with more (or equal or less) conviction than that with which you swore to, "I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty" on taking citizenship in the United States. T don't doubt that you have done, and continue to do, fantastic things for this country and those who have had to leave it. The people of Ireland want a President who is above the things you have talked about. They also want a President who stands clearly above hypocrisy.
sirpeter | Jun 21, 2011, 03:06 PM EDT
Creaky you're a Citizen of the Republic humming God save the Queen in all your comments.Why don't YOU get over the fact you are no longer a Subject of Her Majesty The Queen.Because we will NEVER be subjects again.
joycean | Jun 21, 2011, 02:55 PM EDT
Sorry. Today, anyone born on the island of Ireland on or before 31 Dec. 2004, with one British or Irish parent is a citizen of ROI or is entitled to be,including NI. Now MacAleese must have gone through an earlier route to citizenship. So NI Nationalists can claim Irish citizenship and carry Irish passports, or British, or both.
joycean | Jun 21, 2011, 02:45 PM EDT
Okay, what I was thinking was anyone born on the island of Ireland on or before 31 Dec. 2004 is or is entitled to be a citizen of the Republic, if one parent is British or Irish, including anyone living in NI.But that is a fairly recent revision.MacAleese probably went through a different route.
Towngate | Jun 21, 2011, 02:12 PM EDT
Everyone born in Ireland is a Citizen of the Republic ??? Everyone of every persuasion born in Northern Ireland is a Subject of Her Majesty The Queen of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Get over it, because it is likely to be that way for quite some time to come!
sirpeter | Jun 21, 2011, 01:42 PM EDT
The US oath of allegiance doesn't count because Niall had his fingers crossed at the time.
sirpeter | Jun 21, 2011, 01:31 PM EDT
Antoman.Time for you to hum the A-Team tune.I'm goin'in!!lol.Woundedbolix at 6 o clock.I pity the fool!!
joycean | Jun 21, 2011, 12:48 PM EDT
Rebelforce, Anyone born on the island of Ireland is a citizen of the Republic, so McAleese is an Irish citizen. The oath is required of naturalized US citizens. Generally, it doesn't automatically revoke prior citizenship unless the person submits a written staement to the Irish government that he wants it revoked.The only time I've seen it mentioned was when the Times Square Bomber was asked by the trial judge how he could plot to set off a bomb months after swearing the oath. His answer: "I lied."
Rebelforce | Jun 21, 2011, 12:25 PM EDT
Was this issue of dual citizenship raised about the current President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, who was born in Northern Ireland and is therefore (technically atleast) a "subject" of a foreign monarch?
WoundedKnee | Jun 21, 2011, 12:20 PM EDT
TOWNGATE wrote "America may feel threatened by Europe, but the Irish don't". They do, towngate. And THEY SHOULD!
joycean | Jun 21, 2011, 12:19 PM EDT
Towngate, I was not aware that America feels threatened by the EU. Actually, American taxpayers funded Europe's reconstruction after WWII, which made the EU possible. The only threat I see is from NATO's attempt to involve us in Libya. As Sec. Gates pointed out, they don't have the military capacity to handle the mission without us.I would like to see the US draw back to our own borders and let Europe defend itself militarily.Ireland too. BTW, most IMF money comes from US.
cillowen | Jun 21, 2011, 12:10 PM EDT
the yank threatens to yank the office from their strange and worthless group of those with the "bunker mentality." The words expressed in the "Amhrainn na Bfuin - Soldiers Song" are/were but a con for the diaspora exiles who contributed to the so-called noble cause that has since became an embarrassement. queen's cementing and some running for arras un uk-terra connection. Peace Process agreement did diddly for the poodle with its missing head.
Sparklet | Jun 21, 2011, 11:35 AM EDT
I dont believe that anyone who doesn't live in Ireland will have a clue about what makes the country tick. And without meaning to offend, I think that Americans, though with the best of intentions, really don't understand modern day Ireland at all. Sorry.
SeamusMor | Jun 21, 2011, 11:13 AM EDT
Calling an O'Dowd a "foreigner" in Ireland is ludicrous. The O'Dowds descend from the older brother of the first High King of Ireland. Leadership is in his DNA. Politicians are in disrepute. It is time for some one above politics to be President. If not The O'Brien, maybe an O'Dowd will make people proud to be Irish again.
sanctuarymark | Jun 21, 2011, 10:18 AM EDT
Hi Niall, What saddens me about the race for the park is that while all of the candidates could have stood in the recent general election, and possibly gained some real power, none did. I'm delighted you are standing.We need to realise the world is both changing and shrinking. Your perspective,contacts and obvious concern for the Nations well being make it a no brainer to vote for you, regardless of how you get the nomination.
Trealach | Jun 21, 2011, 10:18 AM EDT
Mr. O'Dowd, I listened with particular interest to the Kenny interview, which to say the least was bland, totally uninspiring, self-delusional and peppered with gross inaccuracies yet again. You even had the audacity to lie to the readers here that you "Have been invited to run for the Presidency" - yet when Kenny posed the difficulty you face in getting a selection and asked how you propose to overcome this you replied " Well I could stand for Fianna Fail or Sinn Fein - they dont have a candidate yet". IF you have already been invited to run, WHY would you now say that you could stand for either party? You TRY to continue to claim your right to stand because you were born here and lived here for 26 years YET the Oath of Allegiance which YOU MADE to a foreign country, clearly prohibits you from seeking election to the Ofice of President - Let me remind you of your OATH! - "I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen;...." THAT Mr.O'Dowd precludes you - you sir are a Foreigner! You then criticise those who have the right, duty and obligation to assess and critique your proposed candidacy, well this is NOT the US, thank God, and you certainly are not of the calibre, which we, the Irish people, need representing ALL 100million and not the mere 40million which you wish to represent. Indeed Kenny referred to the fact during your interview that there were more Irish abroad than those just in the US, which you kept harping on about, and then as an addendum you decided to pathetically include them. You do realise that you will have to PUBLICLY declare your financial sources and the amount raised - where is that money coming from, the Mafia? Forget it Mr. O'Dowd, save your money and save us the embarrassment of rejecting your candidacy IF you ever become one.
Towngate | Jun 21, 2011, 10:02 AM EDT
Niall, a chara: The Marshes of Montrose are always dangerous - wait till they dig out the clip where you told Miriam O'Callaghan you would never come to live in Ireland. Pray it's wiped! For any of the Montrose Marionettes in the Ballsbridge Fog Fun Factory to ask about 'inhaling' is a bit rich! They will always drag up things like that. Look at Norris, for example. ~ The Turner cartoon may not be helpful to your 'image' but at least you as Uncle Sam is not shown with bombs and rockets under yer oxters threatening Holy Little Ayerland with a 'peace' war if we don't do things your way! - but it could be what they're thinking now! Lastly, probably very unwise of you to describe the European Parliament as "discredited" when Ireland has had so many benefits in the past from its Membership, and is now existing solely on the EU/IMF Loan. America may feel threatened by Europe, but the Irish don't,and are a real part of it.
joycean | Jun 21, 2011, 09:21 AM EDT
Niall, when I read Ellis's article in the IT, I noticed there is an NB quoting the oath of allegiance. You can go to Danny's blog to find a hyperlink.
themurphia | Jun 21, 2011, 09:10 AM EDT
Pat Kenny 'go to guy' 'leg/end'...Hmmm?
antoman | Jun 21, 2011, 08:56 AM EDT
I listened to your interview this morning on Newstalk radio.There was no mention of georgyboy or his daily disparaging,obnoxious and vile comments.So far so good.