Michael Flatley, the Irish dance superstar, has announced that he will not be running in Ireland's Presidential election this year.
"I have decided not to run for President of Ireland at this time," Flatley said in a brief statement on social media on Friday, September 5.
"I am honoured by the encouragement and support I've received from so many people across Ireland over recent weeks, but I must put my family and my health first.
"I feel I can better serve the Irish people by continuing my work promoting Ireland and Irish culture globally."
Though he was born and raised in Chicago, Flatley, whose parents are immigrants from Co Sligo and Co Carlow, is an Irish citizen, making him eligible to run.
Flatley's announcement that he will no longer be seeking nominations comes the same day that the formal nomination period for the election commenced; it will close at noon on September 24.
Ireland will head to the polls for its Presidential election on Friday, October 24.
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Flatley famously helped launch Irish dancing onto the global stage after appearing alongside fellow Irish American Jean Butler in the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest interval performance "Riverdance."
He later went on to choreograph and star in the hugely successful Irish dance productions "Lord of the Dance," "Feet of Flames," and "Celtic Tiger."
In 2022, Flatley's debut film "Blackbird," which he wrote, directed, and starred in, was finally released.
Michael Flatley on stage in Dublin with "Lord of the Dance" in 1996. (RollingNews.ie)
Flatley teased a presidential run while speaking on RTÉ Radio back in July.
"I take it seriously. No, I've not made the decision, but I have a team of advisers that are advising me on this," he told host Brendan O’Connor on Saturday, July 19.
"I have a huge business to run. I have an army of dancers counting on me to make a living. I have a whiskey company, a beautiful young wife and son that I want to spend time with.
"If I thought that I could be of benefit to the Irish people and make maybe, more importantly, if I thought I could be a voice of the Irish people – right now, I don’t think they have a voice, not a true proper deep voice that you know that speaks their language."
He continued: "I'm very blessed in that I meet the average man, I meet the average person on the street. From five to 95, I meet them all and I hear their concerns, and I'd be lying if I said they're happy right now.
"Somebody has to speak for the Irish people.
"I'm not sure we need another politician, if I'm honest. It’s a statesman’s role, but I spent the last 30 years of my life touring the world promoting Ireland and Irish culture.
"I’ve met them all. I’ve met the Bushes, the Obamas, Trump, Putin, I’ve met the Clintons. I’ve met the King and Queen of England. I’ve met the King and Queen of Sweden and of Spain. I’ve met all those people on a more cultural front, more to promote the country.
"And I think, maybe, that’s what the job of President is all about."
Flaltey did say at the time that he had not been approached by any political party, but revealed he had been approached by "some very weighted individuals, people in the know."
He reiterated: "It's certainly not something I've made any decision on, but it does get frustrating when you see the hardworking, Irish taxpayer working as hard out and having no say in things."
Michael Flatley at the CLRG World Irish Dancing Championships in Belfast in 2022. (Getty Images)
Later, on July 25, Flatley's barrister Ronnie Hudson confirmed in court that his client was going to seek nominations to run in this year's Irish Presidential election.
According to the PA, Hudson had notified the court of a “material change in circumstances” for Flatley, and said he is to move back to Ireland within the next 14 days and look to run in Ireland's presidential election this autumn.
An affidavit signed by Flatley’s solicitor Maxwell Mooney was submitted to the court stating that he is “to seek nominations to run for president of Ireland."
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