93 Comments

• Trealach | Jun 29, 2011, 11:38 AM EDT

  When a person betrays his homeland, by swearing an allegiance to a foreign flag, and in doing so categorically renounces ALL allegiance to his homeland, it clearly puts him into the category of being a Traitor. He may well think through his tabloid on-line 'paper' that this somehow will be missed or overlooked shows a complete lack of knowledge of the people he want's to represent. There was a time when such Traitors were shot - now we simply refuse to elect them. When a person makes false claims such as "I was invited to run" and fails on numerous occasions to name those who "invited him", then one must come the the conclusion that the claim is a lie. He has said in the past that there must be "transparency" in Politics, yet he indulges in the opposite. The people in Ireland, unlike in the US, ACTUALLY elect the President. We do NOT depend on an Electoral College to make that decision for us. The Irish President is not selected or influenced by Corporations or Lobby groups, since the Irish President has absolutely NO role in the 'Politics' of the nation - nor can the President make ANY comment on Political matters. So WHO is financing your campaign Mr. O'Dowd - you might as well state it now, because the issue won't go away even during the campaign - should you even be eligible to stand for election. Again the two unanswered questions are:- Who invited you to run - Who is financing your campaign. At the very least, have the decency of giving us an honest answer.

• kinvara7 | Jun 22, 2011, 07:38 AM EDT

  Since the Outbreak of the Troubles the Irish Government used a variety of tactics in order to bring international opinion to bear on what was going on in Northern Ireland. That included using US pressure to force the British Government to reverse policy. When violence broke out in Derry in 1969 the Irish Taoiseach called for a United Nations peacekeeping force to be sent to Northern Ireland. In 1974 the Irish Government brought charges of torture against the British Government, and in 1976 it took the case to the European Court of Human Rights. If anyone would like to look at this area in detail, then they should read Dr. Eamonn O'Kane's 'The Republic of Ireland's Policy Towards Northern Ireland: The International Dimension as a Policy Tool'.

• ancavker | Jun 20, 2011, 01:22 PM EDT

  DeValera: The Irish in the 26 counties did not care at all about the north. It was Irish- America who got the ball rolling. In the 80's they were much more interested in El Salvador and all the wrongs America was allegedly committing there at the time. And I don't know how many times I had to hear Ronald Ray gun (as in nukes), when we bought up the north they said we did not live there and did not understand. Of course they fully understood what was going on in El Salvador.

• tullyallen | Jun 19, 2011, 12:36 PM EDT

  There was a worldwide recesssion in the 80's . People conveniently forget the period where unemployment was ,reduced to 4% and immigration was at 20%. The subprime collapse precipitated the crisis . The mismanagement of the economy by Fianna Fail is a result of the present mess. The rest of Europe was not as badly affected as Ireland . The Greek debt problem is partly due to the fact that 30% of their GDP goes on defense. There is also something called international law . Treaties come under this category . The "Free State" government made a treaty with the British Government in 1921,you may have heard about it. Treaties by their very nature especially international ones need to reviewed regularly . This is done by international bodies . I don't remember the United States at any time pressing for a review of this particular one . The "special relationship" is too importan to them. The United States only serves its own interests other interests are secondary ,Irealnd becomes a focus when election year is coming up so they can garner a few votes.The "Good Friday" agreement, which was gibberish from a judicial point of view, would never have been implemented if Ian Paisley hadn't done a volte face . So all your tra la la about Bill Clinton et al and their contribution is the creation of the spindoctors. It was the ordinary people on both sides of the divide in the north of Ireland who took the initiative and as usual others jumped on the bandwagon for their poliitical gain.So all these sanctimonious so called peace crusaders ,like Niall O' Dowd , who is trying to make poliitcal capital out of his so called contribution to the peace process have no credence with me and many others.

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 19, 2011, 12:02 PM EDT

  Devalera: "The peace process was well in progress before the Irish Americans jumped on the bandwagon". That's a blatant lie. I am old enough to remember the 1980s, when Irish policy, if one can dignify it by the name, consisted solely of making sure that American politicians did not interest themselves in the countless human rights abuses, killings by the British Army & Police etc. There was a particularly mediocre Irish Ambassador called Sean Donlan who achieved nothing in all his years here except slow the day when dialog and discussion could take over from armed force. You know nothing about the history of this subject. As to your claims about the EU, these prove you're living in Leprechaunland. Ireland had been a decade and a half in the EU when New York and other cities were thronged by the influx of people fleeing Ireland's "rising livng standards" back in the late 80s---I have a vivid memory of that particular invasion of Irish economic refugees. That was more than two decades ago, and now once again we are witnessing a new horde of Irish beneficiaries of the EU's gift of "rising living standards"! What nonsense you write.

• themurphia | Jun 19, 2011, 05:47 AM EDT

  In case anyone thinks the term PIIGS is in any way derogatory it is an acronym for Portugal Italy Ireland Greece and Spain...just thought I'd clarify that for any intellectually challenged pain in the Aras with an agenda...a muc...;-)!

• themurphia | Jun 19, 2011, 05:24 AM EDT

  Devalera: The chatter today is that the Eurozone find an exit strategy for the PIIGS...the social and financial costs of bailing out the peripheral states is no longer considered cost effective and is damaging to strong economies...Interesting times...!

• DeValera | Jun 19, 2011, 04:57 AM EDT

  The peace process was well in progress before the Irish Americans jumped on the bandwagon. The United States has never been too much of a friend to Ireland . Rooseveltd despised De Valera and was prepared to invade Ireland by military means if need be during WW2.The only interest the Americans have in Ireland is that it is a foothold in Europe and we are stupid enough to let their multinationals operate here with enormous fiscal advantages . The good news is that since we have been a member of the EU living standards have risen considerably in what was one of the poorest countries of the Union. So all this tra la la about the diaspora and whatnot ,is just a lot of name dropping and false promises . Economically the US did little or nothing for us and only became realy interested in investment when we joined the EU because it gave them access to the the European market . Now they are trying to scupper the euro. It would be sheer folly to even contemplate any form of American politicla involvement in Ireland at the present moment .

• themurphia | Jun 19, 2011, 03:57 AM EDT

  In case some gurrier* requires clarification the term 'pukka' is from the Hindi and means absolutely spiffing... first class... super...a bit like me...! *Gurrier btw means 'jackeen'* *jackeen btw means those Dubz who turned out waving Union Jacks to greet the Royals back in the day... Need I go on..?

• themurphia | Jun 19, 2011, 03:08 AM EDT

  Ahhh 'Godwins law'...the last refuge of the hopeless argument...I was asked to explain the use of the term 'goy'...from the context it is obviously not a racial slur...it was a reference to D4 'Dortspeak' (they have problems with their vowel movements) a phenomenon parodied and familiar to anyone acquainted with the fictional character 'Ross O'Caroll Kelly' in the IT...'for focks sake'...My accent btw is pukka home counties boarding school 'English' don't you know...I am a member of the Diaspora after all...So please take your testosterone and your ad hominem insults back to your village...it's missing you...I rest my case!

• Towngate | Jun 18, 2011, 05:43 PM EDT

  We are really enjoying you trying to back-pedal furiously from your offensive Goy reference! Wriggle and squirm all you want but in your Comment @ 08.06 you clearly use a capital G and no quotation marks or inverted commas! ~ ~ ~ Me warning Cap'n Niall of a competitor on the horizon has sent you into some kind of demented frenzied lather about this woman. You must have had a bad experience with an attractive well-spoken broadcaster as a child, did you? Did she laugh at your 'dis,dat,deese and dose?' ~ Seek help!~ ~ ~ Btw: I didn't say you said she was brought up in D4. ~ ~ ~ About the tragic sounding D4 patois; In 2006 during the 'boom', I asked a friend why she had begun using it. She said,in all seriousness: "...now we have plenty of money, we're just as good as the English and we don't have to pretend to be Irish anymore". ~ The poor sad thing thought she was the bees knees now she had a sophisticated London accent. Finally,in my professional opinion, Niall has a much more attractive speaking voice than Miriam. Shalom!

• hancock | Jun 18, 2011, 03:18 PM EDT

  Oy vey.

• Rebelforce | Jun 18, 2011, 02:29 PM EDT

  I wonder why Gloccamorra gets Walter's panties in such a twist? It is one of the most beautiful songs about Ireland ever written. http://youtu.be/LZCt4T1O3xc

• themurphia | Jun 18, 2011, 01:40 PM EDT

  For Americans not familiar with the affected D4 accent 'goy' is the pretentious pronunciation of 'guy' by the 'Dort' (Sth Dublin rail) set... I realise it may mean something else in the States...so relax it wasn't meant as a slur on anyone's racial origins

• themurphia | Jun 18, 2011, 01:26 PM EDT

  Actually Miriam O'Callaghans accent couldn't be more affected if it tried...a mid Atlantic drawl favoured by the Montrose meeja mafia...imagine if you can the bastard love child of the strangulated vowels of Lloyd Grossman crossed with Graham McDowell...as for apologising for the 'mistake'...some might say error of judgment... in tweeting a man's death before his wife and kids knew about it sounds more like an inveterate gossip than a meeja savvy matron to me...Anyone familiar with D4 will know what 'goy' means... As for internecine squabbling well...you might say that I couldn't possibly comment...btw I didn't say MO'C was 'brought up' in D4...try and pay attention at the back unless of course you're too busy kissing Miriam's Aras to read what is actually written...

• Towngate | Jun 18, 2011, 01:04 PM EDT

  themurphia: I am puzzledby your reference to " ...more a Goy thing". Please explain it to us. As for Miriams accent, I am very familiar with the area she was brought up and schooled in (not D4 - you are confused!) and her accent and delivery is natural,'unaffected', and typical of the area. Although Sean O'Casey made fun of the 'Wrathmines' accent in his 'Plough and the Stars' play - it is still a genuine Dublin accent. As for her 'Tweeting' error: I understand she accepted her mistake and apologised immmediately. ~ ~ ~ @ Walter Ellis: I am surprised you have reacted so badly to the response to your original letter on this thread. Niall has had it as tough as you from them, so you should accept it as part of the squabbling vicious internicine nature of the Irish race. Don't worry. T'was always thus!

• joycean | Jun 18, 2011, 11:29 AM EDT

  From his submissions to the IT and IC, Walter Ellis clearly dislikes the US and Irish Americans. He prefers to view Irish Americans through stereotypes: believers in Glocca Mora, St. Patrick's Day marchers, AOH's etc.But stereotypes are always the views seen by outsiders. Okay, so there is one of him and 40 million of us. BTW, Walter, I know you don't accept that number. It's from the US Census, the number reporting Irish as primary ethnicity. The US government does accept dual citizenship among its citizens. So there is no requirement that Americans be only US citizens, or limit their interests to America; and the Irish Constitutions staes that Itreland "cherishes" its Diaspora. It also accepts citzenship by descent.

• hancock | Jun 18, 2011, 11:13 AM EDT

  Drop dead. Get it.

• WalterEllis | Jun 18, 2011, 10:42 AM EDT

  For the life of me, I can't think why the fact that I write obituaries is in anyway relevant to anything. It's a curious kind of insult. Niall's related assertion that I had been promoted by The Times as "some kind of prominent Irish American," is even more strange since neither The Times nor the Irish Times has EVER said any such thing. If Niall can justify this claim, I would like to see the evidence. But it's time now for me to bow out and let the great man get on with his campaign. With thanks to those who had a few kind words to day, goodbye.

• CanadianPat | Jun 18, 2011, 10:20 AM EDT

  Surprised you are getting any attention at all,but does seem fitting that it is comming from an obituary writer, as your campaign was dead in the water before it started!

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 18, 2011, 09:50 AM EDT

  Ellis, give me the NYC St Patrick's Day Parade any day. At least it tries to honor Irish and Irish-American heritage and culture. The parade in Dublin now is dominated by Pakistanis, Poles, Indians, Chinese and Africans. It has no element whatsoever of Irish history, music or language. I guess that's why an anti-Irish bigot such as you likes it.

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 18, 2011, 09:46 AM EDT

  Towngate: Is this new fantasy candidate of yours English? That would make her perfect, wouldn't it?

• Niall O'Dowd | Jun 18, 2011, 09:45 AM EDT

  Declan from Australia thank you for your comments. You are right we need more tourists but they need to be encouraged frpm over here and elsewhere. There are simply not enough flights into Ireland at present.

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 18, 2011, 09:44 AM EDT

  declanfoley: You make a number of good points. It always occurs to me that holding a campaign for Presiden of Ireland is nonsense, since the job calls for no ability other than that of signing one's name. On a side bar, you say "Tourists don't visit Ireland for the weather, but to meet the people." I think you're right, but explain to me why the clowns in Ireland have turned hospitality & tourism into an industry that's dominated by Eastern Europeans. On my last trip, I would say fewer than 10% of hotel staff I came across, be they restaurant, reception, shuttle busdrivers, bar staff etc. were Irish. Are the Irish too lazy to do these jobs? Or have young Irish men and women been frozen out of their own country by the corrupt Irish business class, and forced to head for Sidney and Sussex?

• themurphia | Jun 18, 2011, 09:17 AM EDT

  As for meeja savvy well if you call tweeting the death of a colleague on twitter before his family has been notified...well yeah I guess she's meeja savvy...

• themurphia | Jun 18, 2011, 08:06 AM EDT

  I don't think it's women who fantasise about Miriam and the Aras...more a Goy thing I think...As a contender she is too D4...has a bizarre voice not quite a 'goat chewing spaghetti' but that drawly Oim not really Oirish Oirish...Oim more cosmopolitan yeh know and really cooltured I live in Italy much of the toime...don't ask whoiy...drawl drawl Oh and of course Niall the GAA Sporting connections always a BIG deal for the massive...

• Towngate | Jun 18, 2011, 07:24 AM EDT

  Niall,a chara: Bad news from the crow's nest, I'm afraid,Cap'n! ~ ~ ~ Keep yer powder dry until you see whether Miriam O'Callaghan is persuaded to enter the race! My instinct tells me that; no matter how worthy other candidates are, the Mammies of Ireland will instruct their sheeple to sweep this astonishingly accomplished, legally qualified,media-savvy mother of eight children into the Big House in the Park. ~ ~ ~ As President of the American Irish Diaspora (PAID) you could be Presenting your Credentials and your constructive proposals for closer ties with Ireland to her. There is no doubt that the Irish would be delighted if she would agree to represent their country to the world at large and her " Queen Maeve " image would stun the world! ~ ~ ~ add this to her extensive self-made media connections and success ~ and, if she can be persuaded to run ~ I'm afraid you can put the head between the legs and kiss the Aras goodbye!

• themurphia | Jun 18, 2011, 07:13 AM EDT

  George Ellis..who he? I think you may be confusing your combatants Mr foley...the IT commentariat is talking about the possibility of Niall as the 'peoples choice' whatever the tribal affiliates think...At the moment Ireland needs someone of integrity dignity and preferably the ability to ignite the economy...Niall has those qualities and connections...'it's the economy stoopid'...Ireland exits beyond 'the Pale' and they are the people who need the jobs...'you got the money honey I got the time'...Mind you if John Hume throws his hat into the ring when he returns form his religious retreat then I think all bets are off...we will see white smoke rise from the Aras and a new Pope I mean President will be anointed/appointed...whatever...

• IronMountainMovies | Jun 18, 2011, 06:43 AM EDT

  It seems that 'rumours of your Irish American status have been greatly exaggerated' by this obituary writer. No doubt with an ex PD at the helm, Pat Cox will be the Irish Times favourite for President. Ronan Gallagher

• declanfoley | Jun 18, 2011, 06:42 AM EDT

  G'day from Oz Niall, I concur with the sentiment of George Ellis's piece in the Irish Times. And, like George my opinion is not personal, rather realistic. Firstly you have to secure endorsement from a variety of political bodies: a great but maybe not insurmountable leap. Secondly you have to get the votes: insurmountable as the majority will vote party; the General election clearly illustrates this. Apart from everything else, it is not a great President Ireland requires at this time, rather a group of visionaries in Cabinet and a revolution in how local and national government operates. In my considered opinion, the best way in which Ireland can become as it were "A nation once again" is by those whom live in Ireland investing in themselves. Ireland has the greatest opportunity for a tourist industry, yet has failed time and again to capitalize on this industry; worse still to treat tourism as an industry. Ireland is an urban agricultural nation with innumerable historical artifacts. Tourists don't visit Ireland for the weather, but to meet the people. Even if you did become President of Ireland, you obviously do not comprehend the hold on this office the Department of An Taoiseach has upon it. Whilst you did do great work in recent years in regard to the Peace Process, bear in mind that you were not a political threat to anyone in Ireland, putting your hand up for President is a different ball game. Honestly Niall, if I had the organ that you have in your media outlet, I would be pursing that avenue with every ounce of energy to make the Irish people living in Ireland to invest in, and believe in THEMSELVES first. Encourage them to invest in their own localities, instead of having billions sitting in savings in banks. after all when we do die, we are taken from our money. Sincerely Declan Foley (once of Sligo)

• DeValera | Jun 18, 2011, 05:44 AM EDT

  If an Anglo-Irishman is an englishman on an Irish horse,what is an Irish-American ? And what is all this tra la la about the diaspora ? Of the so called many millions Mr O 'Dowd only wants to court the rich ones ,the rest don't seeem to be of any interest to him . So it would appear that money and power are the main subjects here and not service to the nation.

• WalterEllis | Jun 18, 2011, 03:33 AM EDT

  George: I read the letter in this morning's Irish Times. You wouldn't expect me to agree with it anymore than you would expect Niall to agree with its conclusion that there is no one the writer would less like to see in the Aras than he. As to your point about "no one more one Irish than me," this was, of course, not meant to be taken literally. What I meant was the assumption by many Irish Americans that they are in some sense the true custodians of an Irish culture that the "mere" Irish of Ireland have betrayed. I don't accept this. If Ireland's heritage is best represented by convocations of the ancient Order of Hibernians, meetings of the Brehon Law Society, Friends of Sinn Fein and – worst of all – the annual St Patrick's Parade in New York, with pipe bands dressed up in tartan, then, frankly, give me a stroll through Dublin, Cork or Belfast any day of the week. America is America – a country for which I have immense respect. Its citizens owe it their allegiance. Ireland is Ireland. Ditto. The Diaspora are the Irish who left. Irish-Americans are the ones who wish they hadn't, but still aren't going back. Niall is the one who left and said he wasn't going back but now wants to be President. As someone said, "oh, the times we have!" I'm sorry I lost my temper yesterday, George, and I'm still looking forward to that drink. Guinness for me. What's yours?

• themurphia | Jun 18, 2011, 03:10 AM EDT

  Niall:Following on from my previous comment...Stephen Collins Political Editor has an Opinion piece on the Presidential race in the IT today...No time like the present as my mother used to say...!

• themurphia | Jun 18, 2011, 02:58 AM EDT

  Niall: You know that saying about about an optimist being someone who sees every challenge as an opportunity...? Well it seems that by default your (possible) candidacy is now being discussed in Ireland...time to set out your stall...it may not all be good publicity but like the man said when is publicity ever bad...your name is now known to the broader public? As for the would be censors there is a 'report abuse' button next to every comment if you want to alert the bloggers to 'abuse'..but bear in mind that when people are angry they sometimes vent... and sometimes that anger is misdirected...instead of turning on each other we should harness that energy and use it to our advantage...To repeat Francois Marie Arouet Voltaire...'I may not agree with what you say but I defend your right to say it'..I've left out the to the death bit ...not prepared to go that far for anyone...!It's a jungle out there...!Is feidir linn'...now where did I hear that before...?

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 18, 2011, 12:41 AM EDT

  Good letter to the Editor on line in today's Irish Times. I quote a little: "However, Mr Ellis displays a trait not unusual in your columns and one of the last acceptable prejudices. It seems it is never politically incorrect to be idiotically anti-American, and especially anti-Irish-American, mouthing stereotypical remarks that are no better than the ill-informed tripe Irish-Americans can and do recite about Ireland." Well put! I've asked Ellis twice now to explain what he wrote in the Irish Times: Irish Americans "still wake up each morning saying to themselves, “There’s no one more Irish than me” He hasn't explained this truly extraordinary assertion, but instead prefers to issue schoolyard threats against me. The fact that the Irish Times publishes such nonsense shows how far this once great liberal newspaper has fallen.

• sirpeter | Jun 17, 2011, 10:09 PM EDT

  @DeValera.Yes I'm sure Niall O'Dowd knows the limits of his power if he becomes president.What's your point? Since Dev is the one who wrote up the constitution in 1937 I think he might be turning in his grave now with all the amendment's.Remember all Dev had to do was close his eyes and he knew what the Irish people wanted.But shooting politicians for treason because of their stupidity doesn't look good anymore.But I know Dev would do it anyway just to annoy the Brit's.Time to tear it up and make a new one.The hard part is finding real Irishmen to give us a new one.They come in many colours.I like green.

• sirpeter | Jun 17, 2011, 10:09 PM EDT

  @DeValera. Yes I'm sure Niall O'Dowd knows the limits of his power if he becomes president. What's your point? Since Dev is the one who wrote up the constitution in 1937 I think he might be turning in his grave now with all the amendment's. Remember all Dev had to do was close his eyes and he knew what the Irish people wanted. But shooting politicians for treason because of their stupidity doesn't look good anymore. But I know Dev would do it anyway just to annoy the Brit's. Time to tear it up and make a new one. The hard part is finding real Irishmen to give us a new one. They come in many colours. I like green.

• Rebelforce | Jun 17, 2011, 08:59 PM EDT

  Niall, you really should wear it as a badge of honor that an Irish-hating West Brit like Walter Ellis doesn't want you as President of Ireland. Walter sounds like somebody who'd prefer to go back to having a British viceroy rather than an Irish President in Aras an Uachtarain.

• sirpeter | Jun 17, 2011, 08:27 PM EDT

  @JessNiLeacai.Take it easy Jess.Georgie is entitled to be an objectionable ass.Stop calling for banning/discipline.This is not China.Giving our opinion is why we make an effort to comment.Georgie boy is entitled to his.He maybe a fool but he's IC's fool.Every community needs a village idiot.

• JessNiLeacai | Jun 17, 2011, 06:59 PM EDT

  Btw, Copy and paste is not hard and I assure you Walter Ellis will back me up on these comments.

• JessNiLeacai | Jun 17, 2011, 06:58 PM EDT

  Niall O'Dowd I am sick and tired of you allowing people like George Dillon to bash everyone on this site. Either remove him or I will be under the impression that you support anyone who bashes Irish people. I do not care to engage in racial bigotry, you seem to be keen to outline how someone 'English' insults you but you never call George Dillon out on his comments.Now, remove him/discipline him etc or I will take this to the Irish Times and other papers and highlight your tolerance for anti Irish behaviour and see how far you get in your Presidential run then!

• Woodman | Jun 17, 2011, 06:56 PM EDT

  What is this world coming to? He's an "obituary writer." You'd think he'd at least wait until you were dead before writing nasty things about you.

• DeValera | Jun 17, 2011, 05:59 PM EDT

  Airteagal 13/11 Ni cead don uachtaran aon chumhactna feidhm da mbronntar air le dli a oibrio na a chomhlionadh ach amhain ar chomhairle an Rialtas

• tullyallen | Jun 17, 2011, 05:46 PM EDT

  Today,in reality most of the countries (Ireland included) who pretend to be "Democracies" (i.e Government by the people) are in reality "Plutocracies"(ie Government by the rich). You are on the side of the plutocrats to whom you would be willing to market the "brand" of Ireland . Obviously an economy and society based on resources human and material does not seem of great interest to you . The term economy etymologically means " managing the home",an economy based on resources is a real economy,contrary to a monetary economy ,which is not only an anti economy which not only destroys our home (the earth) but forces half of humanity to live on 1 or 2 euros/dollars a day. Ireland needs a President who is a man of the people and not a President of a diaspora. Sychophantic running after the yankee dollar is beneath the dignity of an Irish President .

• Niall O'Dowd | Jun 17, 2011, 05:08 PM EDT

  sorry rpms chevy i did not come to America illegally

• peterson | Jun 17, 2011, 03:59 PM EDT

  Atta Boy, Niall - sock it to 'em !!!!!!

• StRoibard | Jun 17, 2011, 03:22 PM EDT

  The basic question about O'Dowd's campaign is whether he has a legal, constitutional right to run. If he does, go for it! If he does not, he can't. (That is, unless he's got Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid to sneak him in!) As an IrishAmerican living in the USA, I am very conscious of the dangers of bringing outsiders into "local" politics. However, I am also aware of the value of fresh insights, which it's possible an expat might offer to a dear, beleaguered Lady such as Ireland is today. The unholy marriage with the EU has been a dangerous one from the start. I've written here before (and in the Irish Times) that it is a mistake to hand your life and well-being over to those who have taken advantage of you every time they could. The sinking cesspool that is the EU will only pull Ireland down with Greece and the others who stand for Germany's and the others' service. Perhaps looking across the waters is a good option. Certainly not for our latest mistakes and stupidity, but for past courage and independent thought. I'd be foolish not to gratefully take good suggestions from my children and grandson if they were offered in the right spirit. We were forced to leave Home by circumstances which are coming around again. We just may have learned some valuable lessons which our dear Mother Ireland can benefit from. Slainté and God Bless Ireland always.

• slainte9 | Jun 17, 2011, 02:47 PM EDT

  This Irishness malarky? It isn't at all uncommon to open up a US newspaper or history book and encounter gratutious remarks about the "Irish" as in doesn't everyone know that the Irish were the Civil War's deserters and rioters who kicker blacks off America's social mobility ladder. People who think we need to all just be Americans need to engage their brains when they say that, while indulging long standing American traditions rooted in the prejudices of the British Isles. Also, Saxons may rule, but "their" apparently grammatically challenged when it comes to English.

• themurphia | Jun 17, 2011, 02:24 PM EDT

  Searlit I wasn't being snarky when asked what you meant by 'women's issues'...are you referring to empolyment/discrimination/home/work/family/legal/human rights/access to healthcare/... some/all/none of these...?...just think you need to be clear... Of course the experince of being a woman in terms of the issues I have identified is very different between Ireland and the Diasporaphere... Guys I'm not sure what you are hoping to achieve by trading insults... Walter Ellis apologised immediately to George and Niall...even if you do not accept his apology then at least let the matter rest...as in all things there comes a time to move on...? casual IMBA 'American Wake' good point maybe it's time to revive the corpse...!

• maloney | Jun 17, 2011, 02:14 PM EDT

  Niall..I see no threat in what walter said to Georgie. Just a concern to further Georgie's education in the ways of the world. Let em go. They may even educate each other to death.

• cillowen | Jun 17, 2011, 02:10 PM EDT

  their happy wallowing in their own dung - the queen keeps em happy as they serve faithfully in the british army. The shame of it all is too hard to bear. Saxons rule!

• casualMBA | Jun 17, 2011, 02:08 PM EDT

  Let's see if I have got this right...Ellis figures you have emigrated, and are, therefore, of little utility in contributing to governance, and improved economy...therefore...the "American Wake" is alive and well, yes?

• sirpeter | Jun 17, 2011, 01:32 PM EDT

  Georgie.antoman is not racist.He just knows you are an objectionable ass too.That sentiment from what I can see is shared by many of us on IC.It's the only thing we do share.Now run along to the immigration articles you're spamming the board.I'll be over later for a bit of a laugh.

• antoman | Jun 17, 2011, 01:31 PM EDT

  georgyboy-All this blatant trolling including using a second nick,namely woundedknee clearly indicates that you need to go outside for awhile and kick a football.Ride a bike,just go outside.Turn off the laptop,stop the bs and pull yourself together.I and others here have seen your continous bigotry,racism and general tomfoolery for quite some time now.Either shape up or ship out.

• tredagh | Jun 17, 2011, 01:30 PM EDT

  Walter, I think the fact that you brought O'Dowds family into this debate is a real cheap shot. You should be ashamed of yourself.

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 17, 2011, 01:08 PM EDT

  antoman on Jun 17, 2011, 10:35 AM EDT "I have nothing but contempt for the spineless Irish". How could a sane person have any respect for people like you, antoman, who whine about being unemployable while they cheerlead the Fianna Fail policy of imprting unlimited foreign labor into the country? Of course I have contempt for you, antoman, you're an imbecile.

• sirpeter | Jun 17, 2011, 01:07 PM EDT

  This Irishness malarkey is boring.It's like the old but very effective British way of dividing the Irish and weakening eachother in order to maintain the status quo.Do we want to continue as we are or do we want to try something different. I reckon it must be hard to even put your idea's forward when first you have to spend most of your time defending how much "Irishness" you have.The question is who would be the most beneficial to Ireland in these hard times.

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 17, 2011, 01:05 PM EDT

  sirpeter: We know you're a supporter of the Fianna Fail gangsters who brought Ireland to ruin. Happily I am in agreement with the 70% of Irish people who are opposed to the mass settlement of their homeland by foreigners. As to your alter ego, the moron antoman, that particular empty-head apparently doesn't know the difference between a threat. Let me explain to you. Opinion (actualy fact in your case): sirpeter aka antoman is a racist idiot. Threat? I'll continue to expose his bigotry here.

• sirpeter | Jun 17, 2011, 01:03 PM EDT

  @rpmschevy.I can understand why anybody would leave Ireland in the late 70's.Most were forced out you know,just like they are at the moment.Been illegal or taking up citizenship has nothing to do with who you feel you are in your heart.Does been forced to leave or leaving Ireland to advance a person's position in his field of expertise make them less Irish? I don't think so.

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 17, 2011, 01:01 PM EDT

  Ellis: Your juvenile threats show that my opinion of you is accurate. You're a mindless bigot. You should be banned from this site for making such threats. You sound like a very unhappy violent man.

• Brolaur | Jun 17, 2011, 12:52 PM EDT

  Niall, this is not something else to add to your CV. Your arrogance is nothing short of breathtaking."If ignorance is bliss, it is but Folly, to be wise. If you consider yourself qualified, to be President, I'd love to know what your perception of "The Irish" is. Maybe you'd consider The White Next. Oh no, I forgot "Not Born there" Maybe not An Áras either; "You haven't "Lived" here.

• themurphia | Jun 17, 2011, 11:53 AM EDT

  Ahhh the Fightin'Irish...Guess for some violence will always be more attractive than dialogue... there's always a hurler on the ditch...We don't need to beat up on ourselves there's plenty out there willing to do that... Searlit..'women's issues'...meaning...?

• Ajreaper | Jun 17, 2011, 11:48 AM EDT

  I think, perhap Niall mentions the writer is English to emphasize the "why" does it matter to an English writer who might be considering running for President of Ireland? It would be similar to a writer for a Canadian paper writing about a U.S. presidental canidate. Personally I find it funny people want to label someones "Irishness" or lack there of- seems to me over the years Niall has certainly stayed connected in many ways to Ireland and is certainly aware of the issues facing the country so why can he not be a possible canidate? I do believe that perhaps his being a U.S. citizen may be an issue as I am sure there are many in Ireland who are not big supporters of some of our foreign policy decisions. However in any election its good to get a variety of ideas for how to best move forward- honest political debate is a great thing in the long run.

• sirpeter | Jun 17, 2011, 11:46 AM EDT

  @irishtonyo.I didn't interpret that statement the way you did.The use of the term Irish/Americans was to clarify which group of Irishmen/women he was talking about.I think Niall O'Dowd is Irish down to his boot heels and his actions have proven that.

• Tommy Tourguide | Jun 17, 2011, 11:35 AM EDT

  As a former obituary writer, and grandson of immigrants from Ballinamuck, County Longford, I'd like to encourage you to keep up the debate (and all your good work). There's nothing more boring than a room full of people who agree about everything. Keep it up, Niall.

• irishtonyo | Jun 17, 2011, 11:34 AM EDT

  Niall, I think you clearly show where you align yourself in this paragraph "There is also the attempt to paint Irish Americans as naive and not understanding Ireland, even though we did anticipate and act on the opening for a peace process in Ireland before the majority of the Irish ever did" You clearly do not class yourself here as Irish, but Irish American, so I reckon you have just proved his point.

• Searlit | Jun 17, 2011, 11:31 AM EDT

  No wonder Ireland has elected a woman as president lately. You fellows can't agree on anything! I would rather someone be authentic than put on airs! Being a natural leader is important! Niall doesn't seem to be telling much about what he would do. He's told you that he wants to get The Diaspora involved, in particular The American Diaspora. All I know is that networking will find you employment. As a woman, I would like to know his stance on women's issues. What do you think of a casino in Tipperary? It won't stimulate the economy - maybe for a short period, at first. Then it will become a down and outer magnet. I used to like to visit Tipperary...

• antoman | Jun 17, 2011, 11:26 AM EDT

  I see Walter Ellis has offered to buy georgyboy a pint in Eamonn Doran's bar.I made a similiar invitation except I said we would have the pint in the carpark at the back of the pub.

• themurphia | Jun 17, 2011, 11:01 AM EDT

  You guys...what are you like...!

• sirpeter | Jun 17, 2011, 10:56 AM EDT

  @antoman.I think Georgie made Walter a little upset and Walter wanted to educate him the Christian Brothers way lol.That was over the top.But in saying that Georgie has that effect on most people I'd say. Georgie is entitled to insult the Irish if he wants.His anti-immigrant and anti-Irish posts rarely make any sense anyway.

• Niall O'Dowd | Jun 17, 2011, 10:53 AM EDT

  Antoman our rules are clear all opinions within reason welcome but no threats etc

• antoman | Jun 17, 2011, 10:35 AM EDT

  "I have nothing but contempt for the spineless Irish"-georgedillon.This is just one of many insulting remarks he has left here on this site.Will O'Dowd now write an article in response to georgyboys comments?

• Padraig8 | Jun 17, 2011, 10:31 AM EDT

  Well it goes without saying Ellis is an ASS,We Irish Americans are as Qualified as any one to run for Office in the Republic. i for one think we should be able to Vote an absentee ballot in the Election for President. my Vote is for Niall he has a history of helping the peace process. Tiocfaidh Ar La

• antoman | Jun 17, 2011, 10:27 AM EDT

  problem*

• antoman | Jun 17, 2011, 10:25 AM EDT

  I don't get it.Naill O'Dowd takes exception to remarks written by Walter Ellis yet georgedillon has been berating,ridiculing and insulting Ireland and the Irish on this website from the get go and O'Dowd apparently has no probably with this.What gives?

• WalterEllis | Jun 17, 2011, 10:15 AM EDT

  You're right. I apologise. But he really is hard to take. Now maybe he'll apologise, too. Let me add that I have not, at any point, sought to denigrate you personally, Niall. I merely take the opposite viewpoint on the issue of the presidency. So far as Irish America is concerned, I regard it as a separate, but related, culture to that of Ireland, but without a civic or political aspect. I consider myself Irish. I also live for two-thirds of each year in America. But I am not, and never will be, an Irish American and I will never ever turn out for the St Patrick's Day Parade. If I have appeared insulting in that regard, again I apologise. Live and let live: that's the stuff. And George, if you ever fancy a pint in Eamonn Doran's bar, in Montague Street, Brooklyn, let me know. I'm your man.

• Niall O'Dowd | Jun 17, 2011, 09:53 AM EDT

  Walter, you need to control yourself, threatening George Dillon a silly stunt

• themurphia | Jun 17, 2011, 09:47 AM EDT

  As Brendan Behan so famously said 'Compliments fly when the quality meet'... I hope this debate isn't going to degenerate into a testosterone fuelled slanging match or heaven forfend a fist fight between two alpha males...that would really confirm the worst sterotype of Irish/men! Walter Ellis...Are you serious...? Challenging a blog commenter to a confrontation meeting...? You are supposed to be a 'professional' journalist you have offended Irish Americans with your ad hominem comments about someone they hold in high regard and by association them...please do not conform to the stereotype of the worst of your profession... Niall as far as your candidacy is concerned...'Let's Get it Started...' we emigrants have been quiet for too long !

• WalterEllis | Jun 17, 2011, 09:32 AM EDT

  George: Your restraint didn't last long, did it? I will be back in New York in October. Let's meet. We can arrange it closer to the time. And then we'll see how brave you are. I'm serious. You really are an objectionable ass.

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 17, 2011, 09:25 AM EDT

  Ellis: Just curious. You claimed in your letter to the Irish Times that Irish Americans "still wake up each morning saying to themselves, “There’s no one more Irish than me”. I'm an Irish American, and I am privileged to know many other Americans of Irish heritage. I have never known one to utter the absurdity that you ascribe to them. Tell us, ellis, were you drunk when you imagined this particular slur? If not, where did it come from?

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 17, 2011, 09:06 AM EDT

  Coming form a Eurotoady like Ellis, who wants to consign Irish children to a future of slavery (how about equipping these indentured servants with uniforms, Ellis, what are the EU colors?) I will take his bigoted attacks on me as a compliment. But this is O'Dowd's column, not mine, so I'll refrain from launching the Exocets in Ellis' direction that are called for.

• kinvara7 | Jun 17, 2011, 08:21 AM EDT

  Niall: Play the ball not the man. Your articles should be focused on telling us what your presidency would be like and what your vision of a better Ireland is; they shouldn't be attacking people who write things about you in newspapers. I lost track of the amount of times you referred to Walter Ellis as 'British', what difference does that make? He raised issues which you would have to address in a campaign. You have said it yourself that an Irish American president would be different, therefore of course there is going to be a debate about Ireland and the role of the Diaspora. You can win that debate without attacking those who raise questions.

• Niall O'Dowd | Jun 17, 2011, 08:14 AM EDT

  Towngate I take your point but this is all deja vu for me when Americans got involved in the peace process we faced the very same type of criticism that we were somehow not Irish -- the only response is to answer as cogently as possible

• Niall O'Dowd | Jun 17, 2011, 07:54 AM EDT

  great debate!

• sirpeter | Jun 17, 2011, 07:51 AM EDT

  'O'Dowd too much of an Irish American for the Aras'What does this mean!!If an Irishman living abroad has been extensively involved in the negotiations leading to the Irish Good Friday Peace Agreement,which in my opinion has been a giant step in the right direction for the people of Ireland.One which now appears to be the ONLY step in the right direction in the last twenty years.If this is what an Irish/American can do then I want more Irish/American's involved in my country.I'll take an Irishman anywhere who was involved in making ONE correct step forward for the betterment of this country then all those who proclaim to be more "Irish" by living here, but have pulled the Irish people backwards.I also don't believe St Patrick's Day Parade in New York is presented as a "cartoon" version of Ireland and its culture.It's just Irish/Americans celebrating their heritage in their own way.I wonder Towngate if James Stephens a protestant was pointing his finger at you in his book The Insurrection in Dublin when he wrote "Even for an Irishman living in Ireland, to come on the real political fact which underlies Irish Protestant politics, and which fact has consistently opposed and baffled every attempt made by either England or Ireland to come to terms. There is such a fact, and clustered around it is a body of men whose hatred of their country is persistent and deadly and unexplained.

• Towngate | Jun 17, 2011, 05:06 AM EDT

  Niall, a chara: I have read Walter Ellis's article in the Irish Times and your response to it. On his piece; which I consider to be fair and informative in which he expresses his opinion on your past achievements and current aspirations; but vitally: he invites the reader to make up their own mind when they hear more from you. Seems fair enough. ~ ~ ~ Your response by letter to the Irish Times and this Post here,by comparison, is petty-minded and bitter, and aims below the belt. Defensively dwelling only on his critisism of you. ~ ~ ~ You should read it again without the red mist in your eyes and maybe you'll see... ~ ~ ~ You still haven't declared or been endorsed as a candidate and yet you baulk at the first hint of 'choppy waters'. If you want to survive the voyage up the Aras, me hearty,you better lash yourself to the Helm now - because it will get a lot stormier further out to sea! I promise! As a survivor of one of the worst Atlantic storms in Irish history, I only suggest you can calm the swelling waves of your critics with courage,honesty and Truth ~ ~ ~ and sprinkle in a bit of modesty and humility,too,just for good measure! Bon Voyage!

• WalterEllis | Jun 17, 2011, 05:04 AM EDT

  Thank you.

• WalterEllis | Jun 17, 2011, 05:02 AM EDT

  I realise that the only way to get a long comment into Irish Central is to split it up. So here goes ...in three parts.

• WalterEllis | Jun 17, 2011, 05:00 AM EDT

  1. Niall: I read your letter in The Irish Times, and I presume you read mine. In yours, you stressed the good you could do as someone in touch with U.S. business and political leaders. You added that you had written nothing but good things about Queen Elizabeth's visit to Ireland. In my letter, I argued that looking to Irish America to solve its problems was not the way forward for a sovereign state within the European Union. I also reminded readers that in an interview with Miriam O'Callaghan on RTÉ a year or so back (one which I happened to enjoy and in which you came across in a convivial light), you were asked if you would ever come back to live in Ireland. "No!" you said, emphatically. "My wife is an American; my daughter is an American. They're very, very happy in America. They tell me, you go back, that's fine, but we're not going with you." Presumably, that's all changed now ... at least for the seven years you'd spend in the Park.

• WalterEllis | Jun 17, 2011, 04:59 AM EDT

  2. In your blog today on Irish Central, your thrust is very different. Here, you freely admit your dislike of Britain's royal family. You also characterize me as "a British citizen ... who writes obituaries for the London Times". Though you criticize those who attacked Mary MacAleese for her northern origins, you then, implicitly, attack me for mine. It's true I write obituaries for The Times, specializing in the recently dead of Ireland and the U.S. In years past, I worked for the Irish Times and the (then) Cork Examiner. So what? Oh, and by the way, I am also the holder of an Irish passport (my sponsor, in 1974, was Dr Garret FitzGerald). The difference in tone between your letter and your blog is very noticeable. Here, on your home turf, you can say (more or less) what you like. In the Irish Times you clearly feel the need to act presidential. I won't wish you good luck, Niall. You wouldn't expect me to. I think your election would be a constitutional error from both a U.S. and an Irish perspective. I also continue to believe that the St Patrick's Day Parade in New York does indeed present a "cartoon" version of Ireland and its culture (all those "Scotsmen" in tartan). But I've had my say and, at least so far as these pages are concerned, will now leave you alone to clutch what you appear to believe is your destiny again.

• WalterEllis | Jun 17, 2011, 04:58 AM EDT

  3. . As for George Dillon – George, you're a terrible man, as rude and spiteful as a boxful of monkeys. I see that I am a "jerk," a "dogsbody" and a "bigot," and, interestingly, that I am a supporter of slavery for the Irish. What would you say about me if you didn't like me?

• themurphia | Jun 17, 2011, 04:55 AM EDT

  Good man Niall... There is nothing more hated by certain sections of the 'Irish at home' than a 'blow in'...apart from a successful 'blow-in' that is... I think it's called 'begrudgery'... Those who through no fault of their own were forced to leave Ireland because there was nothing for them there and forced to make a life elsewhere...as many are forced to do once more because of the Economic illiteracy... or should that be innumeracy... of the previous gombeen government...Ireland's greatest product is it's people... If ever the Irish Abroad/Diaspora were in doubt about their second class citizen status this should settle the issue for once and for all...I think it was GBS who said 'if you see an Irishman on a gibbet there will be another to turn him'... As you say the newspaper of record has played it's part in this... Maybe if your contribution to the Presidency was a knowledge of obscure lterary texts and peculiar practices of Ancient Greece you'd be on the front page every day... The Irish Times does not like the whiff of a Republican or 'Shinner' as they prefer to call them... about the place... For all his so called lack of economic acumen the FG government will now it seems be adopting Gerry Adams views on the bondholders after all...sure you couldn't make it up...!

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 17, 2011, 03:36 AM EDT

  Saw your letter online in Irish Times, O'Dowd. Good rebuttal, though my own style would be more confrontational. This jerk Ellis also has a letter, in which he says it is to "our European partners that we must look for our salvation". We know Ellis spent a few years as a dogsbody in Brussels, but his putting forward the idea that the EU will bring "salvation" to Ireland makes Ellis sound like a real nut. The EU's plan for Ireland is not "salvation", it's an entire country to serve as a debt servicer, a nation of indentured servants, one that will stay that way till way into the mid 21st century. Just like the children of Afro-American slaves were born into slavery, Ellis wants children being born today in Ireland to be reserved for debt servicing duties in 20 years. That's their destiny, according to Ellis and the EU, to spend their lives paying back a debt that neither they nor their parents ever incurred. It reminds me of Snow White, the Irish are to become Sleepy, Dozey, Dopey etc., all whistling while they work for the EU. But the proof that Ellis a a crazy is his extraordinary claim that Irish Americans "still wake up each morning saying to themselves, “There’s no one more Irish than me”. Ellis is a bigot who is obviously unhappy and unsuccessful whenever he comes to the USA.