City readies official invites
Cork County Council will invite the two heads of state to the county, mainly in the hope that such visits would provide a huge boost to local tourism.
Cllr John Mulvihill (Lab) proposed the town of Cobh to play host to the British monarch. He said the town was steeped in British history and this was about to be emphasised with the redevelopment of Spike Island.
During WWI, Cobh was one of the British navy’s bases in western Europe.
Mr Mulvihill also pointed out that President Obama was likely to have links to the harbour town as well.
His great, great grandfather, Fulmulth Kearney, was likely to have emigrated through Cobh to the US when he left his home in Moneygall, Co Offaly.
The Mayor of Co Cork, Cllr Kevin Murphy (FG) and other councillors offered their support.
“It would have huge potential for us in terms of tourism. We are twinned with Cook County in Chicago which is where president Obama was a senator,” Cllr Murphy said.
Cllr Alan Coleman (FF) said he met President Obama on one of the twinning trips to Chicago.
The mayor said the city council had invited President Obama to City Hall and were preparing to bestow the freedom of the city on him.
Mr Murphy was unsure if the county council could bestow a similar honour on the president, but said he would look into it.
