US president visits family roots in tiny Irish village

Thousands of rain-lashed people lined the street to greet the president and his wife, Michelle, as their motorcade pulled to a stop in Moneygall

US President Barack Obama cuddled babies yesterday as a tiny Irish village yesterday welcomed home “a long lost cousin” with an outpouring of affection.
Roars of delight from thousands of rain-lashed people lining the street greeted the president and his wife, Michelle, as their motorcade pulled to a stop in Moneygall.
The sleepy village of 300 was the birthplace of Obama’s great-great-great grandfather, Falmouth Kearney, a shoemaker who left in 1850 to begin a new life in the US.
This makes Obama, the son of a Kenyan father and Irish-American mother, one of 37mn Americans who claim Irish ancestry, and he was greeted like a long lost son.
The powerful images could help his 2012 re-election campaign.
For Ireland, Obama’s arrival, and the visit of Queen Elizabeth last week, are a welcome distraction from the global attention paid to the country’s financial woes.
Obama will also visit Britain, France and Poland on a week-long trip in which he will discuss such issues as Afghanistan and Pakistan after the killing of Osama bin Laden, the world economy and the “Arab spring” uprisings.
“Welcome home, Mr. President,” a man yelled as the Obamas reached deep into the throng to shake hands.
Three babies were handed over a security barricade for pictures to be taken with Obama. Women hugged and kissed him under the watchful eye of his security detail.
Dozens of American flags festooned the village’s one street. Heard on the radio about the same time was a popular song, “There’s no one as Irish as Barack Obama”.
“I’m here to see Obama ... our long lost cousin,” said Moneygall resident Rob Lewis, 28.
Inside the pub, which was lined with framed photos of Obama, the president met Henry Healy, a 24-year-old distant cousin. He joked with the bartender to make sure the Guinness had settled properly before he and Michelle took sips.
“I don’t want to mess this up,” he said before saluting the bar with a “Slainte” - Irish for cheers - and a long gulp.
Moneygall is capitalising on its famous connection, selling everything from Barack Obama fridge magnets to Barack Obama plastic lighters.
Tee-shirts with slogans such as “What’s the craic Barack?” and “Is feidir linn” - Irish translation of “Yes we can” - are top-sellers.
Speaking in Dublin after talks with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, Obama paid tribute to close Irish-American ties and expressed satisfaction at economic stabilisation in Ireland.
“What I emphasised is that we want to continue to strengthen the bonds of trade and commerce between our two countries, and that we are rooting for Ireland’s success and we’ll do everything we can to help on the path to recovery,” Obama said.
Obama was given a present of a hurley stick, used in Ireland’s native sport, hurling, and practised swinging it.