Global Speaker Series: The Future of US Politics

Ambassador Kevin O'Malley and Ambassador Dan Mulhall in conversation with Professor Thia Hennessy.
Date: 20 March 2024
Time: 6pm to 7pm (Panel Discussion)
Venue: Online and In-Person (Western Gateway Building, UCC - Room 1.07)
With a significant proportion of the global population expected to vote in countries around the world this year, 2024 has been deemed a record-breaking year for elections. The outcome of the US elections in November will have a major international impact. In our next Global Speaker Series discussion, UCC welcomes former US Ambassador to Ireland, Kevin O’Malley and former Irish Ambassador to the US, Dan Mulhall, for a conversation on the future of US politics.
Why do American politics matter to the world? Why is the outcome of the elections in the US so important to Ireland and to Europe? What has been the role of the media and the internet in the increasing polarization of society?
Our next Global Speaker Series discussion will explore these questions and more.
Speakers
Ambassador Dan Mulhall
A graduate of UCC (MA, 1978), Daniel Mulhall is a retired Irish diplomat who has served as Ambassador to Malaysia, Germany, the UK and the USA. Since his retirement, he has been Global Distinguished Professor of Irish Studies at Glucksman Ireland House, New York University, Parnell Fellow at Magdalene College, Cambridge and a Resident Fellow at the Institute of Politics at Harvard University. He is a Freeman of Waterford and of the City of London, and Honorary President of the Yeats Society (Sligo). His latest publications are: Ulysses: A Reader’s Odyssey (New Island Books, 2022) and Pilgrim Soul: W.B. Yeats and the Ireland of his Time (New Island Books, 2023). He is an Advisor and Brand Ambassador for a new children’s animated TV series based on Irish mythology, The Carlichauns, and a consultant with the global law firm, DLA Piper.
Ambassador Kevin O'Malley
Kevin F. O’Malley was appointed to be the United States Ambassador to Ireland by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the full United States Senate in 2014. During his tenure he worked to expand and deepen the commercial and cultural connections between Ireland and the United States. His acclaimed "Creative Minds" series brought a variety of American musicians, entrepreneurs, writers, animators, film makers and others to Ireland for performances at the Ambassador’s residence and master classes throughout Ireland. Ambassador O’Malley is the senior author of a nine volume treatise on trial law that is used by courts throughout the United States. He is the Ambassador-in-Residence and Professor of Practice at St. Louis University Law School, his alma mater, where he has taught civil procedure and trial advocacy. He accompanied President Biden on his recent trip to Ireland and is active in Democratic politics.