Barack Obama’s visit - Welcome Mr President

PRESIDENT Barack Obama’s visit to Ireland later this year may not be as symbolic, or resonate as deeply and emotionally, as Queen Elizabeth’s but it is every bit as welcome.

It does, however, symbolise the deep and lasting relationship between the world’s pre-eminent superpower and a small island on the western shores of Europe.

America would not be what it is without the Irish and Ireland would be a very different place without the hope America offered — and offers — to Irish people wishing to build new lives.