Cork resident Michael Flatley considering Áras bid ‘to speak for the Irish people’

Irish dancing maestro Michael Flatley has said he has been approached by “weighted individuals” about standing for election as president.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1, the dancer, who resides in Castlehyde House outside Fermoy, acknowledged he hadn’t been approached by a political party but by “weighted people, people in the know” and that he was constantly being asked by people he met in the street if he would consider standing.

“Somebody has to speak for the Irish people, I’m not sure we need another politician,” he said while being interviewed by Brendan O’Connor. “Every time I walk down the street now, people stop me everywhere asking will I run — and that’s all because of Brendan O’Connor and the Brendan O’Connor Show,” he said referring to a previous appearance on the RTÉ Radio 1 show.

“I take it seriously — I’ve not made a decision but I have a team of advisers that are advising me on this,” he said, pointing out that he had other commitments including a business to run, an army of dancers counting on him to make a living, a whiskey company, and a wife and son.

“If I thought 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, speaks their language.

“I am 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 if we need another politician now, I know it’s a statesman’s role, but I’ve 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 is all about.”

In order to secure a nomination, Mr Flatley will have to get the backing of 20 Oireachtas members, TDs, senators, or the current President, Michael D Higgins, or the support of four local authorities. At present, only Catherine Connolly, an Independent TD based in Galway has formally entered the race while it is understood that Mairéad McGuinness will be ratified as Fine Gael candidate in September.