Of all the foreign trips that the heavily traveled vice president has made in nearly three years, none will be as personal as his visit to Ireland Monday and Tuesday. And he sees the trajectory of a second-generation American landing in the White House as the embodiment of the American dream. But while many in Ireland are proud of the close connection, others are less enthused. Those planning to protest his visit also want Pence to know that Ireland is not the socially conservative country it once was. Pence is also likely to be warmly embraced in western Ireland, his ancestral home on his mother's side.

Mike Pence has a deep affection for Ireland. It's not completely reciprocated



Mike Pence's Ireland pride inspired by family, not always reciprocated
The Republic of Ireland emerged from a protracted struggle with the British Government during the first half of the 19th century, leaving the landmass of Ireland divided into two countries: Northern Ireland, which remained part of the United Kingdom, and the independent Republic of Ireland. Self-government initially returned to Southern Ireland in when the country became a free state in the British Commonwealth. Full independence—and complete withdrawal from the British Commonwealth—followed with the declaration of the Republic of Ireland in Such was the impact of his work that he was supported by all the main parties in the election, which made him the first president of Ireland. Erskine Childers was the son of Robert Erskine Childers, an acclaimed writer, and politician who was executed in the struggle for independence. However, he died the next year.


Gay candidate for president of Ireland withdraws over scandal
The largest study to date of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender LGBT community in Ireland shows gay teens experience elevated levels of suicidal behaviour and depression. The ongoing damage is undeniable. That it involves so many young people is tragic.
His departure from the presidential race was met with widespread dismay from the Irish electorate - but David Norris could be on the verge of a come-back. The civil rights campaigner abandoned his bid for Aras an Uachtarain in July, amid controversy over a clemency letter he wrote to Israeli authorities for his former partner Ezra Nawi, who had been convicted of having sex with a year-old boy. Last weekend, the Sunday Independent claimed that Mr Norris was about to put himself forward once again, following an "consistent outpouring" of public support. The newspaper said the senator would use an appearance on RTE's Late, Late Show this Friday to publicly state his intention to re-start his Aras campaign.