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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Why I may run for Irish president because it is time for the Irish abroad to speak up

Posted on Sunday, June 05, 2011 at 10:07 PM

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The Irish Times is reporting as part of a lead front page story today that I am considering running for president of Ireland.

Here is what they wrote in part.

"The New York-based Irish journalist and publisher Niall O’Dowd has also confirmed that he is actively considering mounting a bid to enter the presidential race.

Mr O’Dowd (58) said he had been approached by a cross-party group of Irish and Irish-Americans who urged him to consider putting his name forward. He would not disclose their identities.

Mr O’Dowd was an influential figure in developing the peace process in the US.

“I am very passionate about Ireland and about the future. I hate to see what is happening to it.

“The people laid out a compelling case. I said I would consider their request. They sketched out the importance of the role, of job creation, of the US, and how a president could be a business president. The US is where Ireland needs to be. This generation has had its future stolen from them,” he said.

All of the above I feel passionate about and I believe the race for the Irish presidency would be immeasurably broadened by having an Irish Diaspora voice if I decided to run.

The time for lip service to that Diaspora is over. It is time to make that voice for 40 million Irish Americans heard loud and clear -- not to mention the tens of thousands that will soon be joining that journey west or Down Under.

I was totally taken aback during the recent visit to Ireland for the Obama visit to have a group of influential Irish figures approach me on this very issue.

They see that the Diaspora, when it comes to tourism and direct investment, are deeply important for the future of Ireland. They feel that the past leadership in Ireland has utterly failed the country and that the answer these days lies far more in Boston than Berlin.

I wholeheartedly agree.

I don't know what the future holds for the notion of an emigrant candidate for Irish president.

But rest assured dear reader I will keep you informed.

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Kilsally | Jun 07, 2011, 01:15 PM EDT

Don`t visit the Slugger O Toole blog as you are getting a right `rollicking`: `As if the country hadn’t suffered enough…` - "Delusional self-regard from the Prince of toga-touchers, the King of sneaking regarders. If that gob–ite becomes President, I pledge to leave the country-Somalia, Iraq, anywhere. Jeez, even Gerry Adams would be more viable than this guy" - "Oh dear. Niall believes that being the Irish President would allow him to have a role in job creation and business. Perhaps someone could furnish him with a copy of the Constitution."

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Frankthetank | Jun 07, 2011, 01:09 PM EDT

@JessNiLeacai; you may call her whatever name you like!, thanks for pointing out the typo also. But in all seriousness I was simply pointing out to the other contributed that not all our presidents were just Irish citizens. I was calling her British as she was born there! I know that she is an Irish passport holder, and I'm sure that she is more Irish than the Irish themselves!, as alot of ex pats are!

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donalo2001 | Jun 07, 2011, 09:08 AM EDT

Mary McAleese has a hectoring style not unlike Maggie Thatcher and she has a similar superior type attitiude when lecturing us about our relationships with the British (and their queen).I would hope hope that any new President would adopt a more modern worldly stance and take Ireland beyond the immediate preoccupation with our neighbours. In that respect maybe a renewed focus across continents , including China . India and of course USA would be welcome.

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seanomelbourne | Jun 07, 2011, 12:44 AM EDT

I wonder what happened to John Devoy's gene pool.

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JessNiLeacai | Jun 06, 2011, 11:32 PM EDT

@Frankthetank. It's Mary McAleese and she is both Irish and a British citisen, born in Belfast so I would not call her solely British nor refer to her as such. I call her by her Irish name,Maire Mac Giolla Iosa and she is fluent in Irish so that makes her even more Irish!

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casualMBA | Jun 06, 2011, 11:13 PM EDT

Niall, All jesting in abeyance, if an Irish American were to be considered for the Irish Presidency or high executive office, you would certainly qualify as a leading contender. There is such a need, beyond and separate from Ambassador.

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Frankthetank | Jun 06, 2011, 11:13 PM EDT

@Trealach; We already have had two "foreign" presidents, 1.Eamon DeValera, American & 2.Mary MacAlesse, British. You spelt Irish wrong in the sentence about the constitution. @Niall O'Dowd, I really hope you run, you would be a great president for us.

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Trealach | Jun 06, 2011, 09:11 PM EDT

@Nial O'Dowd and Antoman - it would certainly help if you got your eyes tested - "An American as an Irish President?" kindly show me where I misspelled the word Irish in my post! If Irish Americans have such a love for their 'home land', then come home and rebuild the country and cut out the patronisation. To treat the Office of President as some sort of "joke", that a foreigner can stand for election is an insult to the Irish and the Presidency.

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Trealach | Jun 06, 2011, 09:11 PM EDT

If Irish Americans have such a love for their 'home land', then come home and rebuild the country and cut out the patronisation. To treat the Office of President as some sort of "joke", that a foreigner can stand for election is an insult to the Irish and the Presidency.

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Trealach | Jun 06, 2011, 09:00 PM EDT

@Nial O'Dowd and Antoman - it would certainly help if you got your eyes tested - "An American as an Irish President?" kindly show me where I misspelled the word Irish in my post!

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JessNiLeacai | Jun 06, 2011, 07:57 PM EDT

Sorry Niall, but after the anti Irish carry on that has been allowed and posted to this site by journalists and readers, I would not vote for you. Also, the fact that you reside in America not only means that you are not apart of the everyday life of Ireland, but that your viewpoint will not sit well with the Irish people living in Ireland as it will be seen as hypocritical. I support David Norris, as I believe he is the man for the position. As for comments made by George Dillon, I wonder why you never sensor him yet you sensor other people. Bad language as you claim as been used by Loyal citizen pales in comparison to the vile hatred that Mr Dillon posts on every post. Is it because Mr Dillon is American? Will that be your position for any American or person not Irish if you were to enter office here? I see that as completely bias behaviour and regarding anyone being called a Nazi, here is a history lesson- the current Pope Benedict was in the Nazi Youth, therefore a Nazi. Hope that clears up any ignorance that has been repeatedly spewed from the rants of George Dillon et al.

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Irishphotograph | Jun 06, 2011, 07:32 PM EDT

Being a descendant of one Ireland's greatest rebel leaders as described by Padraig Pearse, John Devoy (IRB). Who spent his time in exile in the USA..I whole heartedly endorse Mr. O' Dowd for the Irish Presidency. We owe it to Irish America for their contribution to Ireland and it would boost Ireland's image in the USA...its a win win...imagesbydavid.net

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seanomelbourne | Jun 06, 2011, 07:30 PM EDT

Another clown to add to the field of harlequins.

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Imelda52 | Jun 06, 2011, 07:26 PM EDT

THIS HAS DONALD TRUMP WRITTEN ALL OVER IT. Free publicity for the website, like Trump's free publicity for his show. What are we going to hear next not another Birther speech/ Sorry couldn't take it. VOTE FOR DAVID NORRIS AND VOTE AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN.HE IS YOUR ONLY MAN

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ellenfromcork | Jun 06, 2011, 07:03 PM EDT

Jaysus Niall,you've really set the cat among the pigeons. Maybe this will make everyone forget your recent witless remarks about Anthony Weiner. See today's NY Times.

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