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Times
2 hours 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.
Irish Daily Mirror
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Michael Flatley refuses to rule out presidential run - 'I stand for Ireland'
Michael Flatley has refused to rule himself out of running for Irish president in the upcoming election. The Riverdance and Lord of the Dance creator admitted that he has not yet made a decision on a potential presidential run but he declined to dismiss the possibility that he could make a bid to replace Michael D Higgins. Flatley, 67, responded to speculation during an interview with Brendan O'Connor on RTE Radio, where he revealed that several people have asked him about possible plans to run for president and he insisted that he takes such questions seriously. "I've not made the decision, but I have a team of advisers that are advising me on this. I have a huge business to run," Flatley said. "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. Right now, I don't think they have a voice, not a true proper deep voice that you know that speaks their language." Flatley feels "very blessed" that he often gets the opportunity to discuss current affairs with a wide variety of people while he conducts his daily business. He continued: "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, and 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." Flatley revealed that he has met some of the biggest names in modern politics and admitted that he has always made a point of championing Ireland in his discussions with world leaders. "I've met them all. I've met the Bushes, the Obamas, Trump, Putin," he said. "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." Leo Varadkar with Michael Flatley at the launch of Flatley Whiskey at The Round Room at Mansion House. Michael Flatley has launched Flatley Whiskey 'The Dreamer', his first signature Irish whiskey from a series of special blends, crafted in partnership with Ireland's esteemed Master Blender Noel Sweeney and distilled at the Great Northern Distillery. For more see Picture Brian McEvoy Flatley has not yet been formally approached by any political party but there have been some tentative talks by "some very weighted individuals people in the know". The former professional performer and choreographer explained how a presidential run is "not something that I've made any decision on, but it does get frustrating when you see the hard-working Irish taxpayer working as hard out and having no say in things." Nominations for the next president are currently under way, with two candidates already announced. Fine Gael have put ex-EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness forward and Catherine Connolly will run as an Independent. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
The Irish Sun
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘Somebody has to speak for the Irish people' says Michael Flatley as he ‘seriously' considers running for president
MICHAEL Flatley could be putting down the dancing shoes and whiskey to move into Áras an Uachtaráin this year. will be stepping down as President of Ireland on November 11, 2025, after a 14-year term. Advertisement 4 Michael Flatley hasn't 'made a decision' on whether he's running for presidency yet Credit: Gary Ashe - Commissioned by The Sun Dublin 4 Michael D Higgins is saying goodbye to Áras an Uachtaráin this November Credit: Sportsfile - Subscription 4 Michael Flatley spoke about what he 'stands for' Credit: Getty Images - Getty The beloved figure was originally inaugurated as president in 2011, and then re-elected in 2018. This means that the next As the country gets ready to bid President Higgins a fond farewell, all sights have turned to who will take his place. And it looks like the creator of the world-famous Riverdance and Lord of the Dance shows, Advertisement read more on michael flatley The 67-year-old has revealed that everywhere he goes, "people stop and ask" him about his intentions to become head of state, which he said he takes "seriously". Speaking to Brendan O'Connor on RTE Radio One on Saturday, Flatley said: "I've not made the decision, but I have a team of advisers that are advising me on this. 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." Flatley said he believes Irish people don't have "a true proper deep voice that speaks their language" to represent them right now and that if he thought he could be that voice, he would consider putting himself forward for the presidency. Advertisement read more on the irish sun The dad-of-one added: "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, and somebody has to speak for the Irish people. Michael Flatley and Matt Molloy perform on Late Late Show "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." Flatley spoke about his credentials and experience that could give him an upper hand in the race. Advertisement He said: "I've met them all. I've met the Bushes, the Obamas, 'FRUSTRATING' "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." Flatley has yet to be approached by any political party but has been sought out by "some very weighted individuals people in the know". The celebrity choreographer finished off the conversation saying: "It's certainly not something that I've made any decision on. Advertisement "But it does get frustrating when you see the hard-working Irish taxpayer working as hard out and having no say in things. "Let it be said that I stand for Ireland and the Irish people, Sin é." Flatley was among the guests invited to the 4 The next presidential election is due to take place sometime before November 2025 Credit: Alamy Advertisement
Irish Examiner
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Michael Flatley says he's 'seriously considering' run for Irish president
Lord of the Dance and Riverdance star Michael Flatley has confirmed he is 'seriously considering' running for the Áras. As first reported by the Irish Examiner, informed sources indicated that the businessman is prepared to enter the presidential race and is seriously considering a run. On Saturday, Mr Flatley said: 'Everywhere I walk down the street, people stop and ask me" about running for president. 'I take it seriously,' he added. The dancer said he now has a 'team of advisers' guiding him on the matter. When asked about his intentions on RTÉ's Brendan O'Connor Show, Mr Flatley said his final decision would depend on whether he believed he could benefit the Irish people. He said that, at present, he believes the Irish people don't have a voice, and that if he thought he could be that voice, he would seriously consider running. 'Somebody has to speak for the Irish people, I'm not sure we need another politician.' While he noted that no political party has contacted him, he added: 'I have been approached by some very weighted individuals — people in the know.' Flatley said it is 'frustrating' for Irish taxpayers who feel they are not being heard. 'Let it be said that I speak for Ireland and the Irish people.' Mr Flatley was among the invited guests at the White House in March when the Taoiseach presented a bowl of shamrock to US President Joe Biden. He also attended the US Embassy's Fourth of July celebrations in Dublin last Thursday, where he entertained over 2,500 guests with a tune on the flute. Read More Michael Flatley suffers setback in €1.4m legal costs row
RTÉ News
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Michael Flatley not ruling out presidential run
Businessman and former dancer Michael Flatley has not ruled himself out of running for the presidency. The creator of the world-famous Riverdance and Lord of the Dance shows was speaking to Brendan O'Connor on RTÉ radio. He said he has been approached by many people and asked about his intentions to run, which he "takes seriously". He said: "I've not made the decision, but I have a team of advisers that are advising me on this. 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 added that he is "very blessed" as he regularly meets "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, and 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' Mr Flatley went through a long list of foreign leaders and dignatories he has met and talked up the importance of promoting Ireland abroad. "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." He said that he has not been approached by any political party but has been "approached by some very weighted individuals 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 hard-working Irish taxpayer working as hard out and having no say in things." Mr Flatley ended by saying: "Let it be said that I stand for Ireland and the Irish people, Sin é." Voting for the next president is expected to take place in late October. So far two candidates have been announced. Former EU Commissioner and MEP Mairead McGuinness is running for Fine Gael, while TD Catherine Connolly is running as an Independent after securing the backing of 20 Oireachtas members.
