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.

Further details of the visit are expected to be announced today. It is likely to take place either before or after his visit to Britain from May 24 to 26, and to France for the G8 summit on May 26 and 27.

It is not yet known whether his two daughters, Malia, 12, and Sasha, 9, will join him.

The 44th president of the US and a descendent of a shoemaker from Co Offaly said he plans to not only visit the usual tourist sites, but to travel to the home of his ancestors.

Mr Obama can trace his family to Fulmuth Kearney, his third great-grandfather, who left Moneygall, Co Offaly, for New York in 1850, to eventually settle in Ohio.

“There has been some controversy about my own background. Two years into my presidency, some are still bent on peddling rumours about my origins,” he said to laughter at a lunch in Capitol Hill before the traditional exchange of the bowl of shamrock.

“So today I want to put all those rumours to rest. It is true my great-great-great-grandfather really was from Ireland. It’s true. Moneygall, to be precise. I can’t believe I have to keep pointing this out.”

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said it was “another great day in the country’s journey” and the visit is a “statement of confidence” in Ireland.

“I can assure you, Mr President, that this visit will be rapturously received by the people of Ireland,” Mr Kenny said.

“I thank you and hope that you will enjoy the fulfilling experience during your visit of Moneygall, where some of your ancestors contributed to the welfare and the well-being of that little village right in the centre of Ireland.”

Mr Obama said the visit will “lay the ground work” for “an even more wonderful trip” later in the year by vice-president, Joe Biden, who has strong family links to the Taoiseach’s home county of Mayo.

Following yesterday’s meeting in the Oval Office, Mr Obama said the Taoiseach “exudes great confidence” to do what is needed to get people back to work and ensure the financial system is stabilised.

“We obviously have the strongest possible relationship with Ireland,” he said after the meeting in which they discussed how both countries can help each other economically as well as the difficulties faced by the people of Japan.

Promising to help Ireland on its economic recovery, Mr Obama said: “The warmth, the affection, the familial and person-to-person contacts between our two countries extend far beyond any dry policy issues.” It was “a day when red, white, and blue has a strong hint of green” according to the president.

“Today is a day for tens of millions of Americans of Irish descent to celebrate the tremendous influence that one small island with a big-hearted people has had on our country.”