Who’s the bás: Prince’s face on hurleys

AS the admittedly dubious claim goes, there’s no one as Irish as Barack Obama. Unless, it seems, you’re a 90-year-old Greek-born member of the British royal family whose name is Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh.

Following the success of a souvenir hurley emblazoned with the US President’s appearance to mark his visit to Moneygall, Co Offaly, an even more unusual project is set to be launched.

On Friday, July 1, the makers of the “Camán Obamas” [Obama hurleys] are to reveal their latest project — the Prince Philip hurley.

Like the Obama version — which carried an image of the US president and the date he visited Ireland — the Prince Philip hurley will carry a picture of the prince on its bás.

An image of the Tower of London clock will also be placed on the item — seeking to commemorate the historic royal visit last month.

“It will be mainly targeted at tourists from Ireland and Britain,” explained craftsman Tomás Ó Cadhain, who also created the Obama hurley.

“In launching it early next month we plan to send Prince Philip the first one.

“We’re also going to suggest he pays another visit to Croke Park — this time to see the All-Ireland hurling final on the first Sunday of September next.”

The bizarre move is unlikely to attract the same support as the Obama hurley, which has already been bought by hundreds of US and Irish visitors.

The first versions of the commemorative sporting equipment were bought from Sadie Flaherty’s shop in Moneygall by the White House incumbent’s security personnel last month.

Since the high-profile visit, more than 500 identical items have flown out of the small rural store — with a number of Gaelic clubs in Ireland and those in Boston in the US requesting similar hurleys including their own club badges.

“Our first sales for these Camán Obamas was an order for a dozen, for delivery to his security people.

“But sales are increasing all the time.

“We’ve now sold over 500 and I’d say most of these have been to US visitors,” explained Mr Ó Cadhain.

The tongue-in-cheek Prince Philip hurley is unlikely to have the same appeal as the Obama version.

However, it has led to questions over what the finishing touches will entail.

While the Camán Obama included his catchphrase “is féidir linn”, it is not yet clear which of the lengthy array of “unique” Prince Philip phrases will be emblazoned across the hurley.

Picture: Obama samples a hurley, much to the delight of Taoiseach Enda Kenny, on the US President’s recent visit to Ireland. A shop in Moneygall has sold hundreds of hurleys emblazoned with Mr Obama’s image and the Irish translation of his catchphrase, ‘is féidir linn’.