Daniel Mulhall

As this is behind a paywall, here is the text of my response @WSJopinion “Dominic Green took to these pages not to praise Ireland but to bury it (“Ireland Is a Wounded Tiger,” op-ed, Dec. 8). He wrongly slights a good and prosperous country. His misperceptions are manifold.  First, Mr. Green’s claim that we demand the U.K. “surrender” Northern Ireland is preposterous. It flies in the face of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, negotiated by the British and Irish governments, brokered by the U.S. and supported by the Irish people. We recognize national unity requires popular consent. Ireland supposedly has an “immigration crisis,” Mr. Green writes, never mind that much of the influx is designed to supply the needs of U.S. multinationals. He casts the country as crime-ridden, though the data belie him again. The Central Statistics Office in July reported that the number of recorded crime incidents fell for eight out of the 14 offense groups between 2024-25. Homicides and Burglary, among others, both declined. Ireland ranks second on the Global Peace Index.  Mr. Green pins his diatribe on a Dublin City Council proposal to rename Herzog Park. Yet the council quickly withdrew that motion after many Irish people and the government sharply criticized it. The country, along with several others, has recognized a state of Palestine: a decision anchored in sympathy for the plight of ordinary Palestinians, not animus toward Israel. The Irish government has welcomed and supported President Trump’s peace plan, and Irish peacekeepers work with the U.N. to maintain stability in Southern Lebanon. Mr. Green’s takes aim at Ireland’s economy as a member of the European Union, but the target is small. The economy grew 2.6% last year, on a par with the U.S. Ireland continues to be a location of choice for American companies because it offers unhindered access to the European market. The 800 or so U.S. firms operating here are successful and profitable. They benefit from a highly educated workforce and fair and transparent tax system. The relationship is mutually beneficial: Ireland is the fifth-largest source of foreign direct investment in the U.S. and continues to expand its footprint in the states. Contrary to Mr. Green’s dystopian sketch, our economy is humming along. Like much of the rest of the world, Ireland faces headwinds, but its people are nothing if not resilient. After all, since 1776, millions of Irishmen and women and their descendants have helped make America great through their labors. Daniel Mulhall Dublin Mr. Mulhall was Ireland’s ambassador to the U.S., 2017-22. “

There’s not a place, stream or bush, however remote; or a flagstone north, south, east or west that we shouldn’t consider with affection & sympathy. No matter how far South Africa, no matter how distant the moon, they’re part of us by right: there’s not a single spot anywhere we’re not part of. We issue from everywhere. Greg Delanty

No clear signal from last night’s Presidential address. Outlook remains uncertain. Economic effects likely to deepen. rte.ie/news/analysis-…

‘US could end the Iran war in two to three weeks - Trump’ Fingers 🤞. There are those who say Trump will have a problem selling a limited win. Evidence suggests that his supporters will stick with him & move on. The rest of the world may be unconvinced but will be mightily relieved. rte.ie/news/middle-ea…

The wind orchestrates its theme of loneliness and the rain has too much glitter in it, yes. They are like words, the wrong ones, insisting I listen to sense. But I am too obstinate. … What I am after is silence in proportion to desire, the way music plumbs its surfaces as straight words do the air between them. Vona Groarke

Donald Trump says US could withdraw from Iran ‘whether we have a deal or not’ Imo that would be a good thing. It seems clear that his more ambitious objectives are not achievable without incurring unacceptable costs. Best to cut losses and move on. irishtimes.com/world/middle-e…

@Tadhgzo @DelK1207 @MarkBroomy You are probably oblivious to such human traits, but yes countries do get a lift from sporting achievements. Think back to the Irish win in Budapest which was celebrated across the country.

@DanMulhall @DelK1207 @MarkBroomy Lifts our country how? By kicking a fucking ball?

🇮🇪 𝗝𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗪𝗔𝗛 | International Debut • Delighted to see James Abankwah make his Ireland debut tonight 💪 • Born in Ireland with Ghanaian roots & raised in Longford, his journey has been anything but straightforward. Countless trips up and down to Dublin as a young lad to play his underage football, doing schoolwork in the car and grabbing food on the go, all to give himself a chance. Those early days at @CherryOrchardFC before earning his move to @stpatsfc, putting in the work every step of the way. That U15 League of Ireland title and cup double still fresh on my mind, a sign early on of what was coming. From there to Udinese & excelling with Watford this season. Now he’s on the international stage... 🇮🇪 ⚽️

Indeed, it is. 👇 Let’s hope he acts in that instinct.

Yes, we are not perfect but there’s no gold standard in statecraft. Every country has challenges. On all the relevant indices comparing like with like across the globe, Ireland invariably features positively. Grounds for satisfaction but not complacency in these turbulent times.

@MaryKenny4 @FAIreland Actually there is a penalty shoot out equivalent in rugby but draws are far rarer.

@DanMulhall @FAIreland Never happens in rugby!

Not alone in going out of the World Cup on penalties @FAIreland. Joined by Wales, Denmark & Italy. Cruel game.

@DelK1207 @MarkBroomy They help lift our country. People like you drag it into the mud.

@MarkBroomy About as irish as I am Ghanaian. He is African. Not a drop of irish blood in him.

‘Rory O’Hanlon, former minister and ceann comhairle, dies aged 92’ Very sad to hear of the passing of Rory O’Hanlon. He was a wonderful man, deeply committed to public service. He once discovered that Greta had South Armagh roots from 19th century emigrants to Australia. He invited us to Sunday lunch at his home & drove us around Sth Armagh seeking traces of Greta’s heritage. Deepest sympathies to his family. May he Rest in Peace. irishtimes.com/politics/2026/…

@Moorerichardpr @FAIreland Great penalty takers for sure.

@DanMulhall @FAIreland Fair play to Czechia. Leinster senior league hoof and chase. Paid dividends.

Honoured to have been asked to serve on President Connolly’s Council of State. As a woman born into a working class family in east Belfast, I am proud to have the opportunity to promote good neighbourliness and understanding across the island.

@Moorerichardpr @FAIreland The stats for the game are amazing. Denmark had 76% possession, more shots etc.

He seeks to be doing a great job - and enjoying himself too. Full credit to him.

@XEnergyIreland @BerryCathal I welcome all positive steps towards greater energy security. There’s no silver bullet solution but we have to do what we can.

✅️ should also allow exports of wind in some circumstances ✅️ energy imported from a stable nuclear- powered France 🇫🇷 For some perspective: 👎Diversified to yet another foreign country, like 80% of all energy currently...which will remain at 80% 👎Small 700MWe line where our peak demand can be over 7000MWe. 👎yet more non-synchronous electricity on the grid 👎 no use as blackstart in supply shock grid failure 👎Electricity represents only 25% of Ireland's total energy supply and this new will give us imports in that category 👎If importing from France at max capacity 50% of the time it represents 3TWh of electrical energy annually. This represents a tiny 7% of Ireland's electricity, at 40TWh/year 👎The 7% of Ireland's electricity represents only 25% of Ireland's total energy use, so any notion of energy security with this interconnector is an exaggeration.

Good news. Will allow us to diversify our energy supplies. 👇