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THE DEATH HAS occurred of former US ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney.
He was 84.
Serving as US President Barack Obama’s ambassador to Ireland between 2009 and 2012, Rooney was also well-known in American football circles as owner and chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers NFL team.
Rooney was the son of Art Rooney, himself the owner of the Steelers, and was heavily involved in all aspects of the franchise since childhood.
His spearheading of an initiative to require all NFL teams to interview minority candidates for senior coaching jobs led to its adoption in 2003. It became known as the Rooney Rule.
In March 2009 Obama nominated Rooney as ambassador to Ireland, a role he was confirmed for in July of that year.
Rooney’s Irish connections could be traced back to the town of Newry in Co Down.
Speaking this evening, President Michael D Higgins said he had “heard with sadness of the passing of Dan Rooney”.
“Sabina and I remember Ambassador Rooney and his family’s visit to us in Áras an Uachtaráin with fondness,” he said.
Deeply committed to Ireland and the Irish people, he was always conscious of his Irish roots.
He was a major contributor to the Ireland Funds. Thanks to his contributions and those of others many projects promoting peace and reconciliation in Ireland were initiated, leaving a real and tangible legacy.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny meanwhile commented that he was “deeply saddened” to learn of Rooney’s passing, adding that “Dan was a personal friend of mine”.
During his time as American ambassador to Ireland Dan visited every county in Ireland and his work brought both the United States and Ireland closer together.
Dan was a founding President of the Ireland Fund. He leaves a massive legacy which will benefit many people for the years to come.
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I was working at the LZ in the Phoenix Park out side the ambassadors residence when Marine 1 and 2 landed to return Obama after his trip to moneygall. The airborne Amanda included 3 Vietnam era Chinooks that transported the entourage including the Ambassador. One of the windiest days Ireland had recorded in a long time. The Ambassador said he thought the chopper had been shot down when he deplaned. He had everyone around laughing. Nice guy.
RIP.
@Brian Farrell: nice story. Only met him once. A gentleman
Great guy, a good friend to Ireland.
Sad. He was a good man.
A lovely man RIP! He was the son of the famous Art Rooney owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and also known as the chief.
A great man. I think that Rooney rule can be used in every industry to bring greater equality in all areas of life.
I had the honor of looking after Ambassador Rooney at the American Embassies 4th of July Celebration in July of 2012. It was while I worked at the ‘Four Seasons’ in Dublin. I was his personal server and chaperone at the event. He was a complete gentleman and it’s a moment I’ll always treasure as a ‘Steelers fan. This man and his father and grandfather before him done so much for the people of Pittsburgh that their legacy will live forever. May he rest in eternal peace.
I lived in Pittsburgh for a while and he was universally liked and respected there. The Rooney’s helped restore a city that was devastated when the US steel industry collapsed in the 1950′s.
Great man with a great heart. RIP.
Rip nice guy. Very friendly
Sounds like a lovely man.
R.I.P.
An absolute gent, kind, courteous and respectful of everyone no matter their job. Was lucky enough to work for the Rooney’s in Dublin. Visited every county in Ireland as ambassador, one of his main goals when he arrived in the country and his 4th of July parties will live in legend, turned the entire rear lawn of the residence into a football stadium for a flag football game, complete with skydivers delivering the game ball. Obama’s visit was almost single handedly his doing, payback for switching sides and backing him for the presidency. He was a good friend of Ireland and considered himself an Irish man. He acted as much as an ambassador for Ireland to America as America to Ireland. It’s a sad day. My thoughts are with his family. Very humble and friendly people.
R.I.P Dan.
Buy all accounts Mr Rooney was a great man. Successful in his roles as ambassador to Ireland and as owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I never got to meet him personally but I’ve heard nothing but good things from those who have. RIP
Im Dan Rooney and ill fight any man!
Was he the one who said we were Morons……
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