O’bama saves White House shamrock

“CHANGE we can believe in” was the campaign slogan, and US president Barack Obama has proven itagain by saving the humble shamrock from the fiery furnace.

Gifts of food and plants presented to the occupants of the White House have had to be destroyed under strict security protocols, but this year President Obama has signalled the shamrock given to him by Taoiseach Brian Cowen on Wednesday will not be going the same way.

In a U-turn that will be welcomed all the way to Moneygall in Co Offaly, from where his great- great-great-great-great grandfather hailed, the president has said the shamrock will actually be planted in the children’s garden patch installed last year by first lady Michelle Obama.

The Taoiseach acknowledged as much during remarks made in the ceremony in the White House on St Patrick’s Day, declaring: “We’re delighted and touched to know that not only will you plant shamrock in the children’s garden, but it will grow from soil from my own county of Offaly.

“Not only is the soil from Offaly, but it’s also from Moneygall – the place of your own family’s Irish heritage. I believe, of course, that this soil will have special properties that will ensure that the garden flourishes.”

The president himself was evidently happy with the idea of the shamrock taking up some garden space, stating: “I think in addition to all the fertiliser we put down, this will bring good luck to the garden.”

The president also said he would be delighted to pay a visit to Ireland, although speculation that a visit is in the offing – much like the ultimate destination for the humble bunch of shamrock – seems to be wide of the mark at present, with no date confirmed.

The shamrock is now destined for the White House lawn, where hopefully the temperatures will be kinder to it than the freezing conditions experienced by it in the past few months here.

An O’bama in the White House and shamrock in the soil – not a bad St Patrick’s Day.