Fine Gael TD Edward Timmins, who represents the Wicklow constituency, has proposed an 'American Presidents Trail' in Ireland.
"I have a totally new proposal here today," Timmins said while discussing tourism in the Dáil on February 11.
"It is to develop an American Presidents' trail, linking all the ancestral homes of US Presidents.
"There have been a huge number of US Presidents, whose ancestors came from this island, North and South.
"It would also be a way of linking Northern Ireland with southern Ireland in a cohesive way through tourism."
He continued: "As I say, many US Presidents have their ancestral homes here. This is an opportunity and it could be something along the lines of the Wild Atlantic Way that would develop tourism, clearly aimed primarily at American tourists but other tourists as well.
"It would be a huge attraction for US visitors, especially those with Irish links."
American Presidents and their Irish roots
Indeed, more than 20 US Presidents have claimed some sort of Irish roots, and since President Kennedy's visit to Ireland in June 1963, almost every US president has traveled to Ireland, many visiting their ancestral homes.
US President John F. Kennedy in Ireland in 1963. (Getty Images)
"Enhance relations" between Ireland and the US
Timmins expanded upon his proposal in a statement issued via Fine Gael on March 13, announcing that he was in the process of "developing a road map for the potential ‘American Presidents Trail.'"
Timmins said: “I have pinpointed several key counties to consider along with a suggested route but ultimately this map would benefit all counties.
“The EPIC, Irish Emigration Museum website shows that 23 US Presidents boast Irish heritage.
"A future ‘Presidents Trail’ along with a cultural centre dedicated to the Irish contribution to the US from Presidents to politics would both enhance relations between the two countries and boost tourism.
“I am currently writing to key stakeholders who may wish to share their thoughts on my proposal, and I welcome ideas from all sectors. Already several groups interested in the project have also written to me in recent weeks since hearing about the proposal."
Timmins continued: “US Presidents have long been proud of their connection with Ireland. President John F Kennedy told his closest aides, that his trip to Ireland were the best four days of his entire life and President Obama told Irish people during his address in Dublin that ‘never has a nation so small inspired so much in another.'
US President Barack Obama in Ireland in 2011. (RollingNews.ie)
“Never has it been so important to highlight the close relationship we have with the United States, and I believe this trail would promote our close ties.
“I strongly believe my proposal for an ‘American Presidents Trail’ could be a hugely positive North-South project. This could be a massive attraction for US visitors, especially those with Irish links and could be comparable to the Wild Atlantic Way.
“It is my hope to share the map on my social media channels in the near future," Timmins concluded.
Trump on Ireland's American Presidents' Trail?
"The first president on that map or whatever it is should be Trump," a source in the Irish Government told the Irish Daily Mail this week.
"That is the sort of thing he loves: being on the Irish Mount Rushmore… first.
"Best though, perhaps, not to risk a statue like Bill Clinton in Ballybunion. We mightn’t be ready for that."
Regarding Trump being featured on the proposed trail, Timimns said: "We have seen this week the impact contained in soft power diplomacy; we need to utilise this."
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