27-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Drag queen Panti Bliss shuts down rumours of joining presidential race
That was just me being silly, says drag star
Panti will not be running for the presidency
Drag queen Panti Bliss has poured water on a mischievous hint she might join the race to become the next President.
Panti, whose alter ego is publican Rory O'Neill, had a sold-out audience at a show in Dublin last weekend whooping in delight at her initial announcement.
'Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Vicar Street. And welcome to Riot.
'My name is Panti Bliss, the next President of Ireland.'
Her 'prediction' was met with deafening roars of approval and whoops from the cheering crowd.
President Michael D Higgins
But last night Panti played down any move by her at throwing her hat in the ring to replace Michael D. Higgins in Áras an Uachtaráin.
'That was just me being silly,' Rory told us.
The Mayo man, who co-owns Panti Bar and Penny Lane gay pubs in Dublin city centre, was at the centre of the gay marriage referendum 10 years ago.
Panti's 'Noble Call' speech in Dublin's Abbey Theatre in February 2014, in response to a freedom of speech row about an appearance she made on RTÉ , has been viewed over one million times and was seen as a galvanising call for gay rights.
The 56-year-old self-styled 'Queen of Ireland' has since won several awards for his activism, including an honorary doctorate from Trinity College for his contribution to LGBT rights and marriage equality.
If Panti/Rory had genuinely decided to run for the Presidency it would have been the most high profile openly gay candidate since David Norris's failed bid in the 2011 campaign.
Mairead McGuinness
Catherine Connolly
President Michael D Higgins' 14-year term ends on November 11, with a date in late October mooted for polling day.
Initial favourite to succeed him is former MEP Mairead McGuinness. The 66-year-old from Ardee Co Louth is almost certain to be Fine Gael's candidate in the upcoming election.
Independent TD Catherine Connolly has also launched her bid for the Áras.
The 68-year-old has been garnering support from left-leaning parties, including the Social Democrats and People Before Profit, and a number of independents.
But the Galway woman recently landed in hot water when it emerged she gave backing to former journalist turned right-wing conspiracy theorist Gemma O'Doherty's candidacy in the last Presidential election.
Panti will not be running for the presidency
Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 27th
