Matthew H. McCloskey

Matthew McCloskey
McCloskey (at right) with President Truman
United States Ambassador to Ireland
In office July 19, 1962 – June 7, 1964
President	John F. Kennedy
Preceded by
Succeeded by	Raymond R. Guest
Personal details
Born	(1893-02-26)February 26, 1893 Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S.
Died	April 26, 1973(1973-04-26) (aged 80) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Helen Dudley
Children	6, incl. Thomas McCloskey

Matthew Henry McCloskey Jr. (February 26, 1893 – April 26, 1973) was a Philadelphia businessman and Democratic fundraiser who served as United States Ambassador to Ireland from 1962 to 1964.

McCloskey was born in West Virginia, and moved to Philadelphia with his family when he was two years old. At the age of 15 he left school and started working in construction; after a few years he started his own company. Buildings by the McCloskey Construction Company include the Rayburn House Office Building and District of Columbia Stadium (now RFK Stadium).

McCloskey was an active Democrat and was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1936, 1940, 1944 and 1948. In 1955, he became Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee, a role he held until 1961. He is credited with inventing $100-a-plate fundraising dinners.

In 1962, McCloskey was appointed ambassador to Ireland by President Kennedy. After confirmation by the Senate, he presented his credentials to Irish leaders on July 19, 1962, and had the official title of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

In early 1964, it was reported that McCloskey would resign his Ireland post in order to assist with fundraising for that year's presidential election. Shortly thereafter, his construction firm was named in a lawsuit alleging defective work during construction of a hospital in Boston, and in an FBI investigation into the awarding of contracts for District of Columbia Stadium work. His resignation as ambassador became official on June 7, 1964.