US president-elect Donald Trump has nominated Edward Walsh, the head of a nationwide construction and real estate company to be his ambassador to Ireland.
Ed Walsh is the founder and president of a New Jersey-based construction and project management company.
Initial reactions suggest Mr Walsh is little known in political circles, including in New Jersey.
Announcing the nomination in a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump described him as a great philanthropist in his local community, who had previously served as the Chairman of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority Board.
He is understood to have a home in the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.
A registered engineer, Mr Walsh's company specialises in project management, construction, and lighting.
The Republican also described Mr Walsh as a "champion golfer", which he said was a "very good asset" for the Ambassador to Ireland to have.
The current US Ambassador to Ireland's term ends on 20 January, when US President Joe Biden hands over power to the president-elect.
Claire Cronin is the current ambassador.
She was appointed to the role by Mr Biden in June 2021 and had previously served as a Representative and as a Majority Leader in the state legislature of Massachusetts.
