Supporters of Nigerian-born doctor, Dr Taiwoo Matthew, have been urged "to be part of history" by helping him become the first black person elected to public office in Ireland.
At the launch of his campaign on Saturday night to secure a seat on the nine-member town council in Ennis in the forthcoming local elections, Dr Matthew said it was time to raise awareness that "we are not passing through, that we are here to stay and we are here to be part of this community".
In a rousing unscripted 40-minute speech, Dr Matthew proudly declared himself "an Ennis man".
"Every one in our neighbourhood, they must know that I'm not a man of colour, I'm not a man of race, I'm an Ennis man. People ask me where I come from and I tell them I am from Ennis, Co Clare."
Dr Matthew added: "We have the opportunity to change the course of history and let your vote affect that change. The opportunity is so ripe. Let us write our names in gold."
The launch was attended almost exclusively by members of Ennis's African community.
Dr Matthew urged his supporters to "seize your civic responsibility and vote because you belong to that system now".
"It is very important for us to be part of the process. The future of my children and your children depends on this place and to make it a home for ourselves and generations to come."
Touching on local issues, Dr Matthew criticised the absence of a Clare-based maternity service for the people of Ennis.
Also a pastor in the Christ Faith Tabernacle Church, Dr Matthew told the crowd that his religion was a personal thing and not an election issue.
