School groups to meet Obama girls

Michelle Obama and her daughters Malia and Sasha will explore her Irish heritage during a visit to Trinity College in Dublin on Monday.

They will also view the Book of Kells during their visit to the university, shortly after their arrival in the city at lunchtime.

The three members of the US first family will take a short holiday while President Barack Obama attends the G8 Summit in Co Fermanagh.

Ms Obama’s ancestor was traced and named as Andrew Shields, an Irish immigrant who fought in the American Revolution as a Georgia resident. Andrew Shields was Michelle Obama’s great-great-great-great -great-great-grandfather and his family were slave-owners.

Meanwhile, young people will find out over the weekend if they have a chance to mingle with the Obama girls on their Dublin visit.

Selected schools and youth groups will be invited to the Gaiety Theatre, where Sasha and Malia will attend a performance of Riverdance, along with their mother.

Ms Obama had been expected to visit a school during her time in Ireland, but it’s now planned that she will instead address a gathering of young people in the theatre.

The invitee list has not yet been completed, and those lucky enough to get a golden ticket are likely to find out over the weekend.

On Tuesday morning, Michelle and the girls will take a stroll near the lakes and valley of Glendalough in Co Wicklow, where they will also have the chance to observe the famous monastic site and round tower.

They will stay in the Shelbourne Hotel during what is to be a mostly private holiday, although some aspects of the short visit will be open to the media.

Gardaí have advised that a traffic management plan will be in place around Dublin 2 to allow for security arrangements.

They said they were particularly mindful of students sitting second and third level exams in the city centre, and urged them to allow extra time for their journeys on Monday and Tuesday.