Shawn Pogatchnik
@pogatchnik.bsky.social
I'm the Ireland correspondent at POLITICO following a quarter-century's toil at the Associated Press. A Washington State native and Dubliner with a resilient love of Belfast.
My latest on Catherine Connolly's even bigger-than-expected win. It was interesting to see her share the stage at Dublin Castle with the FF and FG leaders she's just humbled. Good grace shown by all. Next up: a byelection to fill Connolly's Galway West seat. www.politico.eu/article/irel...
Ireland elects left-wing president in anti-government landslide
Catherine Connolly’s lop-sided victory to be Ireland’s next head of state was accompanied by a surge in vandalized ballots from right-wing voters.
www.politico.eu
October 25, 2025 at 7:28 PM
My latest on Catherine Connolly's even bigger-than-expected win. It was interesting to see her share the stage at Dublin Castle with the FF and FG leaders she's just humbled. Good grace shown by all. Next up: a byelection to fill Connolly's Galway West seat. www.politico.eu/article/irel...
My latest on the imminent coronation of Catherine Connolly, and yes I've included a hyperlink to her keepie-uppies.
She’s slammed NATO, voted against EU treaties, been accused of offering propaganda boosts for dictators from Russia to Syria — and now she’s on track to become Ireland’s next president.
Socialist critic of NATO and EU poised to win Ireland’s presidency
Independent socialist Catherine Connolly’s coolness to Brussels and hostility to Donald Trump put her at odds with the Irish government.
www.politico.eu
October 23, 2025 at 4:27 PM
My latest on the imminent coronation of Catherine Connolly, and yes I've included a hyperlink to her keepie-uppies.
My latest on Martin's misguided pick of Jim Gavin for president. This week's meeting of Fianna Fáil TDs and senators should provide a platform for those seeking a new leader before Martin's due to step down as Taoiseach in Dec2027. Who takes the fall for Calamity Jim? www.politico.eu/article/mich...
Micheál Martin’s future as Irish PM in doubt as his presidential pick crashes out
Political novice Jim Gavin quit the election race to become Ireland’s next head of state after being accused of being a rip-off landlord.
www.politico.eu
October 6, 2025 at 9:51 AM
My latest on Martin's misguided pick of Jim Gavin for president. This week's meeting of Fianna Fáil TDs and senators should provide a platform for those seeking a new leader before Martin's due to step down as Taoiseach in Dec2027. Who takes the fall for Calamity Jim? www.politico.eu/article/mich...
Reposted by Shawn Pogatchnik
Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.
October 5, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.
After months of no-hopers declaring they'd run for president, we're left with 3 candidates backed by the heavyweights: Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin. It'll be one leftie vs the broad-church parties of government. The top choice of the right can't make the cut. www.politico.eu/article/irel...
Ireland’s presidential election will be a 3-way fight
A Catholic conservative from Ireland’s outgunned right, Maria Steen, fails in her last-ditch bid to join Catherine Connolly, Jim Gavin and Heather Humphreys on the Oct. 24 ballot.
www.politico.eu
September 24, 2025 at 2:45 PM
After months of no-hopers declaring they'd run for president, we're left with 3 candidates backed by the heavyweights: Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin. It'll be one leftie vs the broad-church parties of government. The top choice of the right can't make the cut. www.politico.eu/article/irel...
My latest on the Irish presidential race. Unsurprisingly, Conor McGregor won't be on the ballot. By submitting now, he avoids what would have been his first real political test: seeking a nomination from Dublin City Council. He never bothered to come back to Ireland before throwing in the towel.
Conor McGregor has quit without landing a blow in his doomed bid to become Ireland’s next president.
Fighter Conor McGregor taps out of Irish presidential campaign
The ex-mixed martial arts scrapper withdraws hours before facing his first real test of political support — a bout he was doomed to lose.
ow.ly
September 15, 2025 at 11:47 AM
My latest on the Irish presidential race. Unsurprisingly, Conor McGregor won't be on the ballot. By submitting now, he avoids what would have been his first real political test: seeking a nomination from Dublin City Council. He never bothered to come back to Ireland before throwing in the towel.
Here's my latest on Fianna Fáil picking political newcomer Jim Gavin to run for president. The backbenchers' sizable anti-Gav vote doesn't bode well. It's such a wildcard pick. He may be a strong campaigner. But will the GAA grassroots deliver goodwill outside Dublin? www.politico.eu/article/irel...
Gaelic football legend wins spot on Ireland’s presidential ballot
Jim Gavin — a former air force pilot and successful Dublin football manager — is the PM’s pick to compete in the Oct. 24 election.
www.politico.eu
September 9, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Here's my latest on Fianna Fáil picking political newcomer Jim Gavin to run for president. The backbenchers' sizable anti-Gav vote doesn't bode well. It's such a wildcard pick. He may be a strong campaigner. But will the GAA grassroots deliver goodwill outside Dublin? www.politico.eu/article/irel...
Catherine Connolly's bid for the Áras just got an unexpected boost. Much depends on whether FF and SF both run candidates. If either opts out, their councilors are more likely to put wildcard candidates on the ballot. The threshold for nominations via councils is low.
www.politico.eu/article/mair...
www.politico.eu/article/mair...
Mairead McGuinness quits Irish presidential race
Ex-EU commissioner cites health reasons as her Fine Gael party calls move “an awful shock.”
www.politico.eu
August 14, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Catherine Connolly's bid for the Áras just got an unexpected boost. Much depends on whether FF and SF both run candidates. If either opts out, their councilors are more likely to put wildcard candidates on the ballot. The threshold for nominations via councils is low.
www.politico.eu/article/mair...
www.politico.eu/article/mair...
My latest on the opening moves of Ireland's presidential race. Will Micheál run? No. Will Mary Lou? Possibly, but risk aversion likely wins out. The election-tilting wild card, if either FF or SF can play it: a 'celebrity' candidate from outside established political ranks. Brace for disappointment!
Former EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness and left-wing lawmaker Catherine Connolly have confirmed they both want to be Ireland’s next president — but the field could grow crowded as bigger names join the battle.
Brussels veteran and left-wing Israel critic launch bids for Irish presidency
Prime Minister Micheál Martin and opposition Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald are also potential contenders, while MMA fighter Conor McGregor likely won’t get on the ballot.
ow.ly
July 16, 2025 at 3:47 PM
My latest on the opening moves of Ireland's presidential race. Will Micheál run? No. Will Mary Lou? Possibly, but risk aversion likely wins out. The election-tilting wild card, if either FF or SF can play it: a 'celebrity' candidate from outside established political ranks. Brace for disappointment!
Here's my latest on the Ballymena rioting and its spread this week to other loyalist quarters. Context for U.S. readers: There's been more real trouble in Northern Ireland this month than in Los Angeles (with its three briefly burning, endlessly broadcast Waymos). www.politico.eu/article/immi...
Immigrants to Northern Ireland face new wave of terror
Police seek reinforcements to protect homes this weekend from racist mobs spurred by an alleged crime in Ballymena.
www.politico.eu
June 13, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Here's my latest on the Ballymena rioting and its spread this week to other loyalist quarters. Context for U.S. readers: There's been more real trouble in Northern Ireland this month than in Los Angeles (with its three briefly burning, endlessly broadcast Waymos). www.politico.eu/article/immi...
Story's up on Gerry Adams' libel win vs the BBC. The outcome could well have been different had he filed suit in the UK. Says the €100k will go to 'charitable causes.' www.politico.eu/article/ex-s...
Ex-Sinn Féin chief Gerry Adams wins libel award over BBC investigation linking him to IRA killing
The 76-year-old says he sued in plaintiff-friendly Dublin, not Belfast, to “put manners on the BBC.”
www.politico.eu
May 30, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Story's up on Gerry Adams' libel win vs the BBC. The outcome could well have been different had he filed suit in the UK. Says the €100k will go to 'charitable causes.' www.politico.eu/article/ex-s...
Reposted by Shawn Pogatchnik
Hard to believe they’re talking about the same event.
May 25, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Hard to believe they’re talking about the same event.
Reposted by Shawn Pogatchnik
Every year on Memorial Day, I share this video of French caretakers who take sand from Omaha Beach in Normandy, and scrub them into the letters to give them the gold coloring.
They do this for all 9,386 US soldiers who died.
France also gave us this land as American soil.
They do this for all 9,386 US soldiers who died.
France also gave us this land as American soil.
May 26, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Every year on Memorial Day, I share this video of French caretakers who take sand from Omaha Beach in Normandy, and scrub them into the letters to give them the gold coloring.
They do this for all 9,386 US soldiers who died.
France also gave us this land as American soil.
They do this for all 9,386 US soldiers who died.
France also gave us this land as American soil.
Reposted by Shawn Pogatchnik
Rubio publicly criticizing an ally for cracking down on right-wing extremism. And Germany hitting back. We are in a new world
May 2, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Rubio publicly criticizing an ally for cracking down on right-wing extremism. And Germany hitting back. We are in a new world
It doesn't look like Verona Murphy will go voluntarily as Ceann Comhairle, so a formal no-confidence motion on Tuesday seems a certainty. Once the opposition loses that vote, where then? The Leinster House one-stop shop will need to start issuing earplugs. www.politico.eu/article/sinn...
Sinn Féin demands resignation of Ireland’s parliament speaker
Prime Minister Micheál Martin vows to resist Sinn Féin’s campaign of “total opposition” in showdown that has crippled the ability of the Dáil Éireann parliament to function.
www.politico.eu
March 26, 2025 at 6:20 PM
It doesn't look like Verona Murphy will go voluntarily as Ceann Comhairle, so a formal no-confidence motion on Tuesday seems a certainty. Once the opposition loses that vote, where then? The Leinster House one-stop shop will need to start issuing earplugs. www.politico.eu/article/sinn...
Hard to see how this ends. Martin keeps wanting to describe it as a fight over an 8-minute speaking slot, but it's all about Michael Lowry and his two fingers. Verona Murphy's hold of the speaker's chair is slipping. www.politico.eu/article/chao...
Chaos as Ireland’s opposition shouts down speaker, shuts down parliament
Government forces through new speaking rules — but the Sinn Féin-led opposition makes it impossible for the other side to speak at all.
www.politico.eu
March 25, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Hard to see how this ends. Martin keeps wanting to describe it as a fight over an 8-minute speaking slot, but it's all about Michael Lowry and his two fingers. Verona Murphy's hold of the speaker's chair is slipping. www.politico.eu/article/chao...
Reposted by Shawn Pogatchnik
Twitter is its usual celebration of reason tonight. A happy St. Patrick's Day for all!
March 17, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Twitter is its usual celebration of reason tonight. A happy St. Patrick's Day for all!
The birth of a new St. Patrick's tradition: Trump and McGregor can compare notes on their sexual assault cases. www.politico.eu/article/iris...
Trump to meet controversial Irish fighter Conor McGregor for St. Patrick’s Day
The former mixed martial arts champ — recently found civilly liable in Ireland for raping a Dublin woman — brings his anti-immigration message to the White House.
www.politico.eu
March 17, 2025 at 4:08 PM
The birth of a new St. Patrick's tradition: Trump and McGregor can compare notes on their sexual assault cases. www.politico.eu/article/iris...
My latest on the day's White House 'diplomacy.' I didn't mention JD's socks. (Indeed, I didn't mention JD at all.) www.politico.eu/article/dona...
Trump doesn’t want ‘to hurt Ireland’ — but he might
Ireland’s visiting prime minister endures an excruciating 45 minutes in Trump’s live-TV star chamber as the U.S. leader swings at Brussels, not Dublin.
www.politico.eu
March 12, 2025 at 9:36 PM
My latest on the day's White House 'diplomacy.' I didn't mention JD's socks. (Indeed, I didn't mention JD at all.) www.politico.eu/article/dona...
Setting the scene for tomorrow's Taoiseach-Trump 'diplomacy' ... www.politico.eu/article/irel...
Ireland’s leader seeks to survive a brush with Trump
White House events for St. Patrick’s Day are normally a diplomatic dream for Dublin. This year is completely different — and dangerous for Ireland’s America-fueled economy.
www.politico.eu
March 11, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Setting the scene for tomorrow's Taoiseach-Trump 'diplomacy' ... www.politico.eu/article/irel...
Reposted by Shawn Pogatchnik
This guy, @albertburneko.bsky.social, is a genius. Please read his brilliant article on Elon Musk's deranged and morally repugnant Mars colonisation schtick. defector.com/neither-elon...
Neither Elon Musk Nor Anybody Else Will Ever Colonize Mars | Defector
Mars does not have a magnetosphere. Any discussion of humans ever settling the red planet can stop right there, but of course it never does. Do you have a low-cost plan for, uh, creating a gigantic ac...
defector.com
March 7, 2025 at 9:05 AM
This guy, @albertburneko.bsky.social, is a genius. Please read his brilliant article on Elon Musk's deranged and morally repugnant Mars colonisation schtick. defector.com/neither-elon...
Reposted by Shawn Pogatchnik
In ending the war in Afghanistan, the U.S. belittled and sidelined its partner in favor of engaging with the enemy. The result can hardly be called a success.
With Ukraine, the US Is Repeating Mistakes Made in Afghanistan
In ending the war in Afghanistan, the U.S. belittled and sidelined its partner in favor of engaging with the enemy. The result can hardly be called a success.
buff.ly
March 7, 2025 at 11:29 AM
In ending the war in Afghanistan, the U.S. belittled and sidelined its partner in favor of engaging with the enemy. The result can hardly be called a success.
Reposted by Shawn Pogatchnik
March 4, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Reposted by Shawn Pogatchnik
One thing to keep in mind is that European states have always had the basic strength to do much more for Ukraine. They have the money, technology and people needed. They have lacked the strategic ability to think on their own and were too afraid to break with the USA.
March 4, 2025 at 2:52 PM
One thing to keep in mind is that European states have always had the basic strength to do much more for Ukraine. They have the money, technology and people needed. They have lacked the strategic ability to think on their own and were too afraid to break with the USA.