The son of the former speaker of the US House of Representatives, Tip O Neill, who throughout his life made no secret of the pride he took in his Mallow roots, has joined the race to become the next ambassador to Ireland.
Thomas P O Neill III, a former Massachusetts State Representative, who served also as the Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is understood to be one of a number of people seeking the role.
According to IrishCentral.com, friends of O Neill say he has been lobbying leading figures within the Irish community in the US to gain their support for his push to secure the prestigious and sought-after position.