Obama visit looks more likely after talk with the Taoiseach

AN Irish visit by Barack Obama is looking more likely following a conversation last night between the US president-elect and the Taoiseach.

Brian Cowen invited president-elect Obama to Ireland during the 15-minute telephone conversation in which they discussed the fact that both of them had roots in Co Offaly.

Mr Obama is expected by many to follow in the footsteps of other US presidents with Irish connections by visiting the home of his ancestors in Moneygall. John F Kennedy visited the home of his grandfather in New Ross, Co Wexford, in 1964 and Ronald Reagan came to see his ancestors’ home of Ballyporeen in Co Tipperary in 1984.