Lá Phádraig sona dhaiobh to all Hot Air readers around the world, especially those in Ireland. Our friends in the Auld Country don’t really make today quite the same big deal we of Irish descent (and all you wannabes) do here in the New World, but they do appreciate the attention. You know what they’d appreciate more, though? An American ambassador, as the Taoiseach reminded Barack Obama last week:

The United States has been without an ambassador in Ireland for 15 months now, the longest period the country has not had a top diplomat in Dublin. One has to go back to 1935 and President Franklin D Roosevelt’s appointment of Alvin Mansfield Owsley as the US envoy to find a delay almost as long. Then it took 13 months. Dan Rooney, owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and a Barack Obama supporter, was the last of 23 US ambassadors to have served in Dublin. He stood down on December 14th, 2012. The formal St Patrick’s Day celebrations at the White House passed yesterday and there was still no announcement from President Obama naming a new ambassador. Taoiseach Enda Kenny said yesterday he had raised the issue of the vacant ambassador post with President Obama during their meeting in the Oval Office. “Obviously, he is intent on dealing with it. It’s a matter exclusively for the president, and we hope it can be dealt with pretty soon,” Mr Kenny told reporters afterwards.

Quite frankly, I find this encouraging. The #Morrissey4Ireland campaign continues! Be sure to add your voices to Twitter to get me the gig. As I’ve explained before, I’m less than qualified in this administration because (a) I’ve actually been to Ireland, (b) I speak the native tongue, even if I’m terribly rusty at it now, and (c) I’ve read the State Department brief on the relationship and know the form of government Eire employs.

If you want more great news related to Irish heritage, be sure to read Nick Gillespie’s choice for the worst of the media’s St. Patrick’s Day coverage. He’s wrong, though, because Salon wrapped up that title a couple of days ago. And if you’re tempted to try some Irish step dancing, better make sure you’re really a Lord of the Dance, rather than … just a knave.