Reagan and the about-turn in Irish diplomatic circles

Exploiting the US president’s Irish ancestry helped Ireland retain its influence on Capitol Hill, writes Ryle Dwyer

When Ronald Reagan was elected president of the US in Nov 1980, the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin realised it was going to have to adjust its approach to American affairs, because there would be “a distinct reduction in the influence of many of our traditional Democratic Party friends in Congress”. The challenge was met by exploiting Reagan’s Irish ancestry.

There was a certain amount of unrest in the diplomatic arena during 1980 when Haughey tried to replace Seán Donlon as Irish Ambassador in Washington by transferring him to the United Nations. Donlon, who had sought to isolate Irish-American militants, had run foul of organisations like Noraid, the Irish National Caucus, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.