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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Why running for President of Ireland brings out the best and worst ----not to mention the humor and hostility

Posted on Sunday, June 12, 2011 at 10:13 PM

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When I stated publicly to the Irish Times in a front page story that I had been asked to consider running for Irish president, I knew reactions would run the gamut from praise to disdain.

The bookmakers didn't seem to take it too seriously at first. Paddy Power opened up with my odds at 25/1, suddenly then they were 18/1 then 11/1 where they currently reside, fourth on the list of favorites.

Not bad for a single week I suppose

The increase in interest brought its own focus good and bad and sometimes just funny.

The Dissident IRA supporters radio program in New York suggested I be sent as Ambassador to Mongolia instead of running for president of Ireland and forced to undergo re-education there.

Hmm, undergoing re-education among a field of Yaks in Ulan Bator was not really on my horizon.

They also compared me to Donald Trump saying I was contemplating running just to boost my own ego.

That was even more insulting.

Give me re-education in Outer Mongolia to being compared to The Donald.

That really hurt.

Fair enough I don't expect too many friends in that camp post peace process, where they have never forgiven me for pushing for political rather than a military solution.

Meanwhile, back in Ireland, on the site Politics.ie two discussion boards couldn't decide whether I was an idiot or genuinely trying to do better for Ireland.

Some of the comments were cutting, some wonderfully warm.

One stood out remarking that neither my brother, Fergus, a Minister of State in Ireland or Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein leader in Ireland actually liked me and the blogger had personal knowledge of this.

That sort of took me aback and was news to me about two men i have known a very long time indeed.

Is there something I should know?

My 11-year -old daughter, taking her head out of her Ipod has become vaguely aware something other than the usual banalities are being discussed and asked the most pertinent question of all --- Was there a Disney Channel in Ireland?

Utterly reassured she returned to her Ipod.

My twenty-year-old niece, Daire, out from Ireland, filled me in on what her friends were thinking, for many there is very little alternative to the emigrant plane.

It is a generation later but the same discussion is going on with her and her friends, as was with me when left in 1979.

Plus ca change you might say.

I wrote an op-ed in the Sunday Business Post pointing out some of the potential of the Irish diaspora and received several dozen texts soon after , mostly saying it was time Ireland looked west as well as to Europe.

That was interesting. I will be in Ireland to gauge more reaction in a week or so .

I'll let you know how it goes.

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27 comments

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sirpeter | Jun 13, 2011, 01:06 PM EDT

Best of luck Niall.@Sparklet.We have been voting into power the same old long-standing resident's for years.I have nothing against David Norris,but he has been around forever too.So have the rest of them.Time to try things differently.This country is forcing Irish people to leave their homeland again.It's time they had some representation.

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KathyCallahan | Jun 13, 2011, 12:27 PM EDT

I was sailing a few hours ago, and the Irish Diaspora Congress -idea appeared clearly in the sky. Dedicated highly motivATED volunteer Representative's from diaspora locations meeting in Ireland in support of President's diaspora initiatives, visions -developing projects. Via teleconference calls. winning idea replete with high energy, enthusiasm, brain power, massive tenacious collective work ethic and a very good sense of humor

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Sparklet | Jun 13, 2011, 12:00 PM EDT

Is it old fashioned to think that the President should be a long-standing resident?

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mcdolan | Jun 13, 2011, 11:15 AM EDT

Although I think you are better placed in your current role to affect change in Ireland vis-a-vis the Diaspora, I do think your entry (which will be difficult to get as others have noted) will make the race very interesting. Am still supporting David Norris, however.

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donal1951 | Jun 13, 2011, 10:57 AM EDT

Give it a go, Mr. O'Dowd. As part of the exiled Irish in America, I'd love to see you run and win. Yes, we have some policy disagreements, but the presidency is not one of great political influence. You would represent the Irish diaspora as well as native Irish men and women, as you are both.

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SeamusMor | Jun 13, 2011, 10:39 AM EDT

No one would walk across the street because you were on the other side. Conor O'Brien as President of Ireland would mean hundreds of thousands, if not millions coming to Ireland as tourists interested in their heritage.

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Trealach | Jun 13, 2011, 10:07 AM EDT

Perhaps, Mr.O'Dowd you might enlighten us as to how you intend to achieve the required 4 city/county councils or 20 Oireachtas members to support your nomination? Given that the 'whip' has been applied in both Labour and Fine Gael, and since they hold the majority in both the Dáil and Councils just how do you intend on winning the nomination?

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DLW12183 | Jun 13, 2011, 09:53 AM EDT

Trump is smarter than you!

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antoman | Jun 13, 2011, 09:48 AM EDT

Fair enough,you have my vote Niall O'Dowd.

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Niall O'Dowd | Jun 13, 2011, 09:44 AM EDT

yes, Anto man, I could hardly do the job from here!

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antoman | Jun 13, 2011, 09:26 AM EDT

Can you say publicly Niall O'Dowd that you are prepared to leave America and reside in Ireland for the duration of the presidency were you to gain the office?

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jamieLM | Jun 13, 2011, 09:04 AM EDT

Only time will tell if you'll have a successful outcome in your run for president of Ireland, but as the adage goes, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." Good luck to you, Mr. O'Dowd.

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