Latest news with #Riverdance
The Journal
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Pat Rabbitte open to presidential run, while Tony Holohan won't confirm or deny
FORMER LABOUR PARTY leader Pat Rabbitte has said he is open to considering a run for president. Rabbitte was leader of the party between 2002 and 2007 and served as minister for communications, energy and natural resources between 2011 and 2014. The Co Mayo man is currently chairman of Tusla. Asked on Newstalk radio today if he would rule out running for president, Rabbitte said: 'No, one should always keep one's options open.' He went on to say he would 'entertain' a bid if he was approached by a 'broad cross-section of moderate opinion'. Advertisement However, he added: 'I better kill this quickly before it gathers feet: I am very, very happy to leave this challenge to others.' The Labour party has yet to formally back a candidate. Meanwhile, The Irish Mail On Sunday reported former chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has also not ruled out seeking a nomination. The newspaper reported today that 'plans are in progress' for Holohan to announce his candidacy as he refused to 'confirm or deny' whether he would enter the race. It is unclear whether he will be backed by a political party, although it was reported that he has a cordial relationship with both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. Fine Gael's candidate Mairead McGuinness was confirmed by the party, but has yet to be formally ratified. Fianna Fáil have yet to back a candidate. Former minister Mary Hanafin yesterday said that the party should be running a candidate , coming after she expressed her own desire to represent Fianna Fáil in the election. Public Expenditure minister Jack Chambers told RTÉ's This Week that he was 'not aware of any engagements' between Fianna Fáil and Holohan regarding his potential candidacy. Related Reads Catherine Connolly, presidential hopeful, gave her first press conference today — here's what she said Question mark over Mary Lou McDonald's potential candidacy as support for Connolly builds The face of Riverdance, Michael Flatley, didn't rule out his own potential bid yesterday . Michael Healy-Rae said that he would not be contesting the election after broadcaster and former Fine Gael TD Ivan Yates told that the Kerry TD could be a 'dark horse'. Independent TD Catherine Connolly is the only candidate to have formally announced her campaign, having been backed by the Social Democrats and People Before Profit. An opinion poll conducted by The Irish Times showed that Mairead McGuinness is currently the most popular candidate in the mix, followed by Catherine Connolly, but that many voters are not engaged in the Áras race. With reporting by Press Association Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Riverdance creator Michael Flatley teases Irish presidential bid
Riverdance creator Michael Flatley has indicated he is open to seeking a nomination for Ireland 's next president. An election for the largely ceremonial role is expected towards the end of October, as it must take place in the 60 days before outgoing President Michael D Higgins 's term ends on 11 November. Flatley, who is eligible to run as an Irish citizen, said he had not made a final decision on the matter but is consulting with a "team of advisers". Speaking to RTE Radio One about newspaper speculation on a potential bid, the Irish-American said he is stopped on the street "everywhere" he goes and asked if he will run. He clarified, however, that the speculation stemmed from his previous appearance on the show with host Brendan O'Connor. The choreographer and dancer said: 'I take it seriously but no, I have not made a decision'. Pressed on the matter, Flatley said: '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 – maybe more importantly – if I thought I could be a voice of the Irish people' He added: 'Right now, I don't think they have a voice – not a true proper deep voice that you know that speaks their language.' Flatley said he hears the concerns of 'average person on the street' and they are not 'happy right now', adding: 'Somebody has to speak for the Irish people.' He said he was not sure the role needed another politician, adding that he had spent three decades promoting Ireland and Irish culture. He said he had not been approached by any political party, but had been contacted by some 'people in the know'. 'It's certainly not something that 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.' Asked if he was leaning more in favour of running, he replied: 'Let it be said that I stand for Ireland and the Irish people.' To be eligible to run, a candidate must be an Irish citizen who is 35 or older. They must be nominated either by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or at least four local authorities. Former or retiring presidents can nominate themselves. So far, two candidates have secured sufficient backing to enter the race. Mairead McGuinness, who was a TV presenter and farming journalist before becoming an MEP and EU commissioner, is the nominee to become Fine Gael's presidential candidate. Catherine Connolly, Independent TD for Galway West, has received the backing of the Social Democrats and People Before Profit, as well as independent TDs and Senators. Fianna Fail, the party with the most TDs in the Dail, has not clarified if it will run a candidate and is to make a decision in the early autumn. Sinn Fein has also not indicated a final decision on the race.
Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Times
Could Michael Flatley be Ireland's next president?
Michael Flatley has been approached by 'people in the know' about a potential run for the Aras, the dance star has said. Flatley, who is best known for his internationally successful shows such as Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, said that he had not yet made a decision about whether to run for president but did not rule himself out of the contest. 'But I have been approached by some very weighted individuals, people in the know. It's certainly not something that I have made any decision on but it does get frustrating when you see the hardworking Irish taxpayer working his heart out and having no say in things,' Flatley said.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michael Flatley considers Irish presidential bid
The creator and former star of Riverdance Michael Flatley has said he has not ruled out seeking a nomination to run in the Irish Presidential election. The 67-year-old, who is best-known for bringing Irish dancing to an international audience, said several people had asked him to throw his hat into the ring. The election must be held before 11 November. Incumbent President of Ireland Michael D Higgins is not eligible to stand again as he will have completed two full seven-year terms. Speaking to Brendan O'Connor on RTÉ radio, Flatley said he had spent the last 30 years of his life "touring the world promoting Ireland and Irish culture". He said the presidency was statesman's role and added he was "not sure we need another politician". The former dancer added that he heard the concerns of the "average person on the street" and they are not "happy right now". "If I thought that I could be of benefit to the Irish people and - maybe more importantly - if I thought I could be a voice of the Irish people," he said. "Right now, I don't think they have a voice - not a true, proper, deep voice that you know that speaks their language." Flatley, who was born in Chigago, would be eligible to run as he has Irish citizenship. He said he was consulting with a "team of advisors" ahead of making a final decision. The Irish-American, who hung up his dancing shoes in 2016, said he has a lot to consider if he was to seek a nomination. "I have a huge business to run, I have an army of dancers counting on me to make a living," he said. "I have a whiskey company, a beautiful young wife and son that I want to spend time with. "I take it seriously but no I have not made a decision." In 1994, he helped launch the Irish dancing spectacle, Riverdance, after performing at the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin. After Eurovision, Riverdance was transformed into an arena tour. Several years later Michael Flatley developed his own show, Lord of the Dance. Who can run to be the president of Ireland? To be eligible to run for the Irish presidency, a candidate must be an Irish citizen who is 35 or older. They must be nominated either by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas (Irish houses of parliament) or at least four local authorities (councils). A president is elected for a seven-year term of office, but cannot serve more than two terms. So far two candidates have been announced to replace President Higgins. Former EU Commissioner and MEP Mairead McGuinness is running for Fine Gael, while TD (Member of Parliament) Catherine Connolly is running as an Independent after securing the backing of 20 Oireachtas members.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Michael Flatley: Riverdance star considers Irish presidential bid
The creator and former star of Riverdance Michael Flatley has said he has not ruled out seeking a nomination to run in the Irish Presidential 67-year-old, who is best-known for bringing Irish dancing to an international audience, said several people had asked him to throw his hat into the ring. The election must be held before 11 President of Ireland Michael D Higgins is not eligible to stand again as he will have completed two full seven-year terms. Speaking to Brendan O'Connor on RTÉ radio, Flatley said he had spent the last 30 years of his life "touring the world promoting Ireland and Irish culture".He said the presidency was statesman's role and added he was "not sure we need another politician".The former dancer added that he heard the concerns of the "average person on the street" and they are not "happy right now"."If I thought that I could be of benefit to the Irish people and - maybe more importantly - if I thought I could be a voice of the Irish people," he said."Right now, I don't think they have a voice - not a true, proper, deep voice that you know that speaks their language." Flatley, who was born in Chigago, would be eligible to run as he has Irish said he was consulting with a "team of advisors" ahead of making a final Irish-American, who hung up his dancing shoes in 2016, said he has a lot to consider if he was to seek a nomination. "I have a huge business to run, I have an army of dancers counting on me to make a living," he said."I have a whiskey company, a beautiful young wife and son that I want to spend time with."I take it seriously but no I have not made a decision." In 1994, he helped launch the Irish dancing spectacle, Riverdance, after performing at the Eurovision Song Contest in Eurovision, Riverdance was transformed into an arena tour. Several years later Michael Flatley developed his own show, Lord of the Dance. Who can run to be the president of Ireland? To be eligible to run for the Irish presidency, a candidate must be an Irish citizen who is 35 or must be nominated either by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas (Irish houses of parliament) or at least four local authorities (councils).A president is elected for a seven-year term of office, but cannot serve more than two far two candidates have been announced to replace President EU Commissioner and MEP Mairead McGuinness is running for Fine Gael, while TD (Member of Parliament) Catherine Connolly is running as an Independent after securing the backing of 20 Oireachtas members.
