Barack Obama’s visit - Welcome Mr President
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.
Though the influence of the Irish as an ethnic bloc is waning in America it remains powerful, and from our perspective, hugely beneficial. Without it the job of attracting inward investment from American companies would be very much more difficult.
President Obama and Queen Elizabeth will visit us at a low point in our fortunes but both welcome events will strengthen relationships that can only help us recover our economic independence and self respect.