Offaly celebrates homecoming leader

A JUBILANT Brian Cowen will race across his home county this weekend, flying in and out of towns as he is cheered on by tens of thousands of supporters celebrating his elevation to taoiseach.

Offaly councillors and Fianna Fáil cumainn have spent days putting up buntings and dressing up town squares. Since jubilant crowds moved through the grounds of Leinster House when Mr Cowen was crowned Taoiseach on Wednesday, preparations have been continuing ahead of his journey home.

While none would talk of bonfires last night, the scene is set for a colourful weekend.