Riverdance star Michael Flatley to make bid for Irish presidency, court hears
The revelation came out in a legal case over work done on his mansion in County Cork, the Castlehyde.
Barrister Ronnie Hudson said there had been a "material change in circumstances" for Flatley and he's set to move back to Ireland in the next two weeks in the hope of running in autumn's election.
A legal statement signed by the star's solicitor, Maxwell Mooney, was also submitted to the High Court stating Flatley would "seek nominations to run for president of Ireland".
Flatley rose to fame when Riverdance, which features traditional Irish music and dance, became a phenomenon in the 1990s and went on to tour the world. It continues to be performed today.
The choreographer and dancer also created and starred in Lord Of The Dance.
The 67-year-old - who currently lives in Monaco - strongly hinted at a presidential bid last week, but said he hadn't made a final decision.
He told a radio interview he didn't think the Irish people had a "true proper deep voice that speaks their language".
Flatley said the "average person on the street" is unhappy with the status quo and "somebody has to speak for the Irish people".
The role of president in Ireland is largely ceremonial and is currently held by Michael D Higgins, whose term ends on 11 November.
The election is expected to take place at the end of October.
A candidate needs nominations from at least 20 members of the Irish parliament or at least four local authorities.
Those who've already met the criteria are former farming journalist and EU commissioner Mairead McGuinness, and former Galway mayor Catherine Connolly.
Former MMA fighter Conor McGregor is among others who have also hinted they might run - although the prospect was universally rejected by other politicians in Ireland.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
26 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Beijing keeps up rare earths pressure on Trump
China is restricting the export of critical minerals to the US as it seeks to maintain pressure on the White House ahead of trade talks this week. Despite Donald Trump striking a deal with Beijing to resume rare earths imports last month, new figures show that China has restored trade at a far slower pace than with Europe and the rest of Asia. China exported 3,188 tonnes of rare earth magnets worldwide in June, representing a 158pc jump from May. Of that total, 353 tonnes went to the US, an almost sevenfold increase from the previous month's low of 46 tonnes. But the average monthly shipment to the US in the first three months of this year was 622 tonnes, suggesting trade is barely back to half the typical level. The June tonnage was also still 52pc below the amount shipped to the US in the same month last year, representing the largest year-on-year decline of any of China's major magnet customers. Germany, the largest buyer, received 764 tonnes, up almost threefold from May and down just 25pc year-on-year. Poland, France, Hungary and South Korea also received large boosts to shipments, and had lower year-on-year declines than the US. 'While China's relationship with the US seems to be warming, Beijing will continue to keep a tight grip on critical mineral exports,' said Leah Fahy of Capital Economics. China dominates the production and processing of rare earths, and controls most of the world's supply of rare-earth magnets used in military weapons, renewable energy generation and electric vehicles. When Mr Trump threatened China with wide-ranging tariffs of up to 145pc earlier this year, Beijing responded by halting rare earths exports. This led to the President quickly caving in amid criticism from American manufacturers. He said on June 11 that he would slash tariffs to restore full access to rare earths. Meanwhile, Chinese vice-premier He Lifeng will meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday for two days of trade talks in Stockholm. Mr Bessent has described the two superpowers' trading relationship as 'in a good place', with reports emerging late on Sunday that they have agreed to extend their truce on tariffs by another 90 days. It had been expected to expire on August 12. Ahead of the talks, Mr Bessent has said he wants to address China's purchases of Russian and Iranian oil. Mr Trump has threatened 100pc tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil. If this levy were imposed on China, by far the biggest buyer, it could reignite the trans-Pacific trade war, and risk jeopardising rare-earth trade once again. Ms Lahy said China's rare-earth powers might diminish over time. 'There's only so many times China can go back and forth, using it as a way to get things out of the US, without annoying the US even more,' she said. 'And even if China starts supplying as many rare earths as it did before, the genie is out of the bottle. The West knows that China can limit its exports of these goods whenever, so they're going to look to diversify their supply chains.' Mr Bessent also wants to confront Mr He in Stockholm about what he said was 'overcapacity' at Chinese factories. The US Treasury has criticised Beijing for lavishing subsidies on its manufacturing industry. By skewing the Chinese economy towards production and exports ahead of consumption, this helps fuel China's hefty trade surplus with the US – which Mr Trump loathes. Beijing is taking steps to address this.
Telegraph
26 minutes ago
- Telegraph
European stocks poised to jump after Trump trade deal
Good morning European stocks looked poised to rise on Monday as a deal between the US and European Union appeared to head off the risk of a damaging transatlantic trade war. The deal struck by Donald Trump and Urusula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, on Sunday at the former's Scottish golf course will set a tariff rate of 15pc for most goods, down from a threatened 30pc. Full details are yet to be confirmed and a written next still needs to be agreed. But as traders breathed a sigh of relief, Euro Stoxx 50 futures were up 1.3pc on Monday morning ahead of markets opening. Speaking on Sunday, Mr Trump said: 'This is probably the biggest deal ever reached in any capacity, trade or beyond trade.' 5 things to start your day US cars and energy to flood Europe as Trump strikes trade deal | Eleventh-hour agreement in Scottish summit to avert 30pc tariffs Britain is stuck in a 'doom loop', warns hedge fund chief | American billionaire Ray Dalio issues a stark warning about the health of the UK economy Fintech boss accused of 'backdoor' power grab in row over US move | Former partner claims the chief executive is hijacking a crunch shareholder vote to tighten his grip Thames Water faces rocketing demand for supplies | Utility giant warns that plans to build 100 new data centres across London and the South East will pile more pressure on its creaking infrastructure. Telecoms chief lands record £131m payday | The boss of a little-known UK telecoms business was handed a record £131m last year, marking the highest-ever package paid by a London-listed business.
Daily Mail
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Pep Guardiola compared by fans to Ted Lasso as Man City boss debuts surprise new look ahead of pre-season return
Man City boss Pep Guardiola has surprised fans by debuting a new look during his summer break. Guardiola and his Man City squad have been enjoying time off following their extended 2024-25 season, which ended with the FIFA Club World Cup. Man City bowed out of the competition on June 30 with a surprise 4-3 defeat to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal after extra-time. With Man City due back for a short pre-season ahead of the new campaign, Guardiola was seen on a trip to the Monarka Clinic in Barcelona, a centre aimed at providing regenerative treatments and high-performance recovery. Fans were surprised to see that Guardiola has ditched his typical facial hair, with the Spaniard's beard having been shaved off. The 54-year-old was instead seen with sporting just a moustache while on the visit to the clinic. Some Man City fans jokingly suggested the bold new look could be a promising sign for their fortunes ahead of the new season, following an underwhelming 2024-25 campaign. 'Premier League should be trembling now,' one fan said. 'You can't not win the Premier League with that tash,' another added. 'Yeah, we are here to take back our throne. With Pep rocking new moustache look,' added a third. Others compared Guardiola's new look to the one sported by Ted Lasso in the hit Apple TV series, a show the Man City boss has previously made a cameo appearance in. 'Pep Guardiola now has a moustache inspired by Ted Lasso as he aims to turn things around after Manchester City's disastrous last season,' one fan claimed. Guardiola's new look also led to fans remembering the Spaniard's admiration for a reporter's look back in 2021. Speaking at a press conference, Guardiola had told TNT Sports reporter Fred Caldeira 'I really like your moustache, Fred. You are so attractive and sexy.' The reporter had responded by revealing to Guardiola that he had previously had a beard that he had opted to shave off. Guardiola's visit to the Monarka Clinic in Barcelona came a month after it was announced he had invested in the practice. The Man City boss revealed he had previously been suffering from a chronic back problem, which was relieved after he was treated by Mireia Illueca, a neurosurgeon expert in pain and minimally invasive surgery. Having checked in on his investment, Guardiola will by returning to take charge of the start of Man City's pre-season training on Monday. Man City currently only have one pre-season match scheduled ahead of the new campaign, with Guardiola's side set to face Italian side Palermo on August 9. Their Premier League season will begin on August 16 against Wolves.
