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Vote: Who would make the best modern-day ambassador for Ireland?

Get your votes in. Don’t rate any of our suggestions? We want to hear yours.

OH AMBASSADOR, WITH these amazing Irish exports, you are truly spoiling us.

In our #PowerOfGreen series, we’re all about celebrating the best aspects of what it means to be Irish.

And while we’d like to think we represent the best of our country when we head off travelling, it’s celebrities that really wind up doing the ambassador job for us on the international stage.

So, let’s pick an (entirely unofficial and just for fun) ambassador of Ireland. We’ll state the case for each one, then throw it over to you guys in a poll to duke it out for the ultimate champion.

(Psst – if you don’t rate our picks, then it’s all to play for in the comments section with your suggestions. No messing now, right?)

1. Michael O’Leary

File Photo RYANAIR HAS CLAIMED to be the world's favourite airline after new figures showed the airline carried over 101.4 million international passengers last year. RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

Our ambassador nominee from the world of business, there’s no denying that Michael O’Leary has broken the mould several time over with his strategies for budget airline Ryanair. Opinionated pronouncements aside, he’s achieved great success and transformed the industry. It just all boils down whether or not you want our ambassador to the world driving around in a taxi he bought to beat the traffic.

2. Conor McGregor

31/12/2014. New Years Festivals Sam Boal / Photocall Ireland Sam Boal / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

He’s undoubtedly a powerhouse in the UFC. Boasting lots of wins until his shock defeat this year, which arguably only served to humanise the man behind the big talk and bravado. His dress sense isn’t for everyone, but there’s no doubt he’d kill the after-dinner speeches at diplomatic soirees as our visiting dignitary.

3. Saoirse Ronan

22/10/2015 Saoirse Ronan Film Premieres

Now for an ambassador from our rich seam of arts and culture experts, we have one of Hollywood’s youngest leading lights. Her accent drives some people up the tree, but her acting chops cannot be sneezed at – and if the painfully Irish story at play in her film Brooklyn didn’t move you to noisy sobs, well you need to check your pulse.

4. Bono

23/11/2015 U2 Rock Concerts Leon Farrell Leon Farrell

The man, the myth, the Marmite of rockstars. These days he’s nearly as well-known for his presence in charity and philanthropy circles than he is for rocking out to One on a big stadium stage. Listen, he’s already met the pope so we don’t have to worry about him making a show of us or anything. Well, apart from his shades that is.

5. Amy Huberman

13/3/2015 Actress Amy Huberman Mark Stedman / Photocall Ireland Mark Stedman / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

A left-field contribution here, but we think our Amy could really do us proud as a global ambassador for Éire. Anything she does or says or uploads to social media just absolutely reeks of being totally sound. The woman can do no wrong. And frankly our national image needs that kind of Midas touch sometimes, right?

6. Panti Bliss

9/4/2016. Irish Film and Television Awards Sam Boal Sam Boal

A charming entertainer with a message and more glitter than you can shake a stick at. We’re sure that other countries would be dead jealous of our ambassador having the best frock at the whole gala, as well as a sharp-tongued dig that only a professional drag artist can deliver to boot.

7. But now it’s over to you…

Making a point Marcalz Marcalz

It’s time to vote. To make things fair and open up the playing field, we’ve left one option up to you – but that means we want your suggestions for perfect Irish ambassadors in the comments section. (We’re celebrating the parts of Irish life that make us proud, so bear that in mind when you’re picking.)

Get voting…


Poll Results:

Michael O'Leary (2741)
Saoirse Ronan (2147)
Amy Huberman (1662)
Other (please tell us) (1496)
Conor McGregor (1015)
Panti Bliss (1010)
Bono (603)

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Catch up on the rest of our #PowerOfGreen content – and look out for the next instalment in the series celebrating the best of Ireland>

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