Well the Irish weather had to crash the party to give cead mile failte this morning to President Barack & First Lady Michelle O'Ba...sorry, Obama as the touched down at Dublin airport. A short meet and greet with President Mary McAleese at the Áras followed by the Tree planting ceremony.
On to Farmleigh for a meeting with the Taoiseach Enda Kenny where he received an official gift of a hurley. From the looks of it, his Irish Brigade will have to give him a few quiet lessons on how to swing the camán. :-)
After a brief lunch break and hiccup at the American embassy they headed to Moneygall for the biggest photo op of the day.
I bet anyone a fiver the secret service agent or two were minus clean underwear when this happened. :)
Moneygall is a small village on the boarder of counties Offaly and Tipperary. With the weather as wild as it was the fear was it would be a swoop in and out visit but the sun seemed to be following Barack all day and to the agony of his secret service went on a 45min walk about to meet and greet as many people as he could. The walk about interupted on brief occassions to visit an Siopa Beag and Hayes' pub where he not only met his relatives including Henry VIII but he sank a good pint of the black stuff, made sure everyone got in on the tab, told a story in good old fashioned Irish style and made sure he paid the bill before he left.
But in true Obama style he finished the day with a rousing speech on College Green, Dublin. Not to be out done by Queen Elizabeth he also began his speech with a cupla focal. He is one of the finest orators I have witnessed in politics so watch and enjoy. Is Feider Linn!!!!
Now if only he'd get someone to give me a job in his fine country all would be well with the world. :)
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