Obama due to visit on May 23, for 24 hours

It is understood that the US President will visit Ireland on Monday May 23 and will stay here for 24 hours.

According to website irishcentral.com, Barack Obama will fly into Dublin aboard Airforce One, and will be greeted by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Mr Obama will then go to Aras an Uachtaráin and to Farmleigh in the Pheonix Park, where he will meet President Mary McAleese and other Irish dignitaries.

The US President will then travel by helicopter to Moneygall in Co Offaly to visit his ancestral roots.

It had initially been thought the President would address a gathering in Croke Park but for security reasons, that plan looks to have been abandoned.

The Department of Foreign Affairs would not confirm the schedule, saying it has not yet released details of the forthcoming visit.