Enda draws on America’s family tree

IT wasn’t the man he had travelled across the Atlantic to see. But when Taoiseach Enda Kenny yesterday found himself in the same Washington Hotel lobby as Duke Special he would have been forgiven for asking the Belfast songwriter for a rendition of his hit I Never Thought This Day Would Come.

After so many years watching the other side take part, Enda’s day had finally arrived to hand over the bowl of shamrock and give the White House what will be close to its 60th piece of Waterford Crystal, becoming the only leader to do so in his eighth day in office.

He did not need any help from the songwriter in his hotel to charm the Americans with romantic words. With a twinkle in his eye he spoke of bringing the friendship that has blossomed for years a step further with his big proposal.