Obama gets Irish eyes smiling

PRESIDENT of the United States, Barack Obama, will visit Ireland in late May to reaffirm what he described as the “incredible bond” between the two countries.

Accompanied by his wife, Michelle, the visit will bring a much needed boost to the country at a time when — in the words of President Obama — it is “bouncing back from the severe economic challenges that it’s experienced over the last several years”.

Although the announcement was expected, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he did not know that Mr Obama would accept his invitation until yesterday’s traditional St Patrick’s Day meeting in the Oval Office of the White House.