Donegal's Irish-American Congressman Boyle rows in behind Harris for US Presidency

Leading Irish-American Congressman Brendan Boyle has joined Democrat Party leaders in making history by endorsing Kamala Harris for the US Presidency.

The son of Glencolmcille man Frank Boyle who emigrated aged 19 to the United States, the 47-year old Pennsylvania lawmaker is a key figure in the US Democrats and remains close to President Joe Biden.

Representative Boyle spoke of his admiration for the presidential duo of Harris and Governor Tim Walz, whom he joined in supporting at last week's hugely-fanfared Democratic National Convention in Chicago. It was attended by an estimated 50,000 people with up to 15,000 journalists present from around the world.

Congressman Brendan Boyle and Peter Kelly 

He also revealed his passion for peace and progressive politics in his family's native Irish province.

"Vice President Harris' pick of Tim Walz is a sensational choice,” Boyle said. “Tim is a personal friend, I served with him in Congress. I've been texting and talking with him throughout the process. We've already seen what a boost he's been to the ticket."

Boyle is resolute that the 45th president must not become the 47th.

"We must avoid the disastrous return of Donald Trump - which would not only be disastrous for the United States, but for Ukraine and the rest of the world," Boyle said.

Boyle and younger brother Kevin made history by both successfully running for office in the state legislature, representing their father's chosen city of Philadelphia. In 2015, the elder sibling became a US Congressman in Washington, speaking out on issues including the Irish peace process and excoriating Brexit.

"I feel fortunate to be in Congress at a time when it really mattered to preserve the peace process" Brendan Boyle explained. "I've had to fight the good fight from 2016 onwards, and we got a major backup once Joe Biden came into the White House in 2021."

Boyle has met with both Stormont and Dail leaders each St Patrick's Day on Capitol Hill, and built important alliances across the divide.

"Just this past March I was with [First and Deputy First Ministers] Michelle and Emma and Mary Lou McDonald in Washington" he beamed. "I shared with both Michelle and Emma that I've been very impressed with how they've conducted themselves. The important thing is that everyone continues to feel included, their voices heard and being well represented."

"We must never go back to the days where one side that has a numeric majority is running roughshod over the side that is in the minority."

The Philadelphia man revealed the impact his 2019 trip to Dublin, Belfast, Derry and Donegal had upon himself and his wife. They were part of the Speaker Nancy Pelosi all-Ireland delegation and walked the 'seamless border' between Derry and Donegal at Bridge End.

"On that trip we also visited a couple of the so-called peace walls,” he said. “That deeply impacted my wife. In fact she cried upon seeing them. So they are a reminder of the work that we still need to do."

Boyle multi-tasks between helping elect Kamala Harris to the Oval Office in just 70 days time, his ever-important Congressional district duties and continuing to speak out on peace in the North. Yet maintaining links with the 'home county' remains an equal priority and he makes the trans-Atlantic trip regularly to see family.

"I'm a big Donegal Gaelic football fan" he insists. "I've just set up the GAA app for my dad. We were disappointed not to see Donegal win the All-Ireland this year. But I have to say that I was happy to see that it went to a northern team in Armagh."