Obama trip to seek out Irish roots

US President Barack Obama is planning to visit the village of his ancestors when he travels to Ireland in May.

Word of the historic Irish trip spread quickly through Moneygall, Co Offaly, after it was revealed by the President during a meeting with Taoiseach Enda Kenny in the Oval Office.

Mr Kenny was making his first St Patrick’s Day visit to The White House since being appointed to office just over a week ago.

President Obama, sporting a light green tie, said he was very much looking forward to the trip.

He added: “I wanted to say today that I intend to come to Ireland in May and I’m expecting to go not only to all the famous sites, but also to go to Moneygall.”

There is no official date for the visit yet but Mr Obama is due to travel to the UK in late May ahead of a G8 summit of world leaders in France.

The Irish Republic is also gearing up for an expected visit from the Queen in May – the first state visit by a British Monarch.

Records have revealed that Mr Obama’s great great great great grandfather was a shoemaker in Moneygall and his son, Fulmuth Kearney, left for New York in 1850.

Mr Kenny said he was thrilled by the announcement and told the president he would be rapturously received by the people of Ireland.

“I can testify as the Irish Taoiseach, this is another great day in our country’s journey and it’s a very significant statement of confidence by the most powerful political office in the world that the President of the United States decides to come to Ireland in May,” Mr Kenny said.

“We appreciate that very much, indeed, Mr President. And we’ll make sure that your visit is warmly received and generously treated.”

Mr Kenny joked he was up for a game of golf if President Obama was.

In Moneygall, word of the visit was well-received, and although generations have passed, blood ties with the President still remain.

Local Henry Healy has traced his roots to the Obama-Kearney lineage and said the President can be assured of a fond welcome. “It’s a huge acknowledgement of his ancestry to us in Moneygall and we’re absolutely delighted,” Mr Healy said.

Mr Healy, who travelled to Washington for the president’s inauguration at the invitation of Irish-Americans, said the ancestral home is still standing, as is the schoolhouse and church. During the Oval Office visit, President Obama also congratulated Mr Kenny on his election victory, which he dubbed “historic”.

“We obviously have the strongest possible relationship with Ireland,” the President said.

“The warmth, the affection, the familial and person-to-person contacts between our two countries extend far beyond any dry policy issues. “So, from that point of view, Ireland will continue to be a very strong and loyal friend of the US and we will work with the authorities and the political process to the benefit of both countries,” Mr Kenny said.

Earlier yesterday, Mr Kenny attended a breakfast with Vice President Joe Biden on Capitol Hill.

Irish visits by US Presidents

• John F Kennedy (1963)

President Kennedy, a descendant of an Irish emigrant to the US, was the first sitting president to visit.

He spent four days touring Dublin, Wexford, Cork, Galway and Limerick. He gave an historic address to a joint session of the Dail and Seanad.

• Richard Nixon (1970)

Dubbed “The Forgotten Visit” in a documentary for state broadcaster RTE, President Nixon travelled to the home of his wife’s ancestors in Mayo and his own Quaker ancestors’ graves in Timahoe in Kildare, before visiting Dublin over the three days in October.

• Ronald Reagan (1984)

President Reagan visited and addressed the people of Ballyporeen, Co Tipperary, where his great grandfather came from.

• Bill Clinton (1995, 1998 and 2000)

President Clinton became the first sitting US president to visit Northern Ireland when he came in the mid-1990s. He also returned to the island in 1998 and 2000, reflecting his commitment to the peace process and his affection for the country.

His trip in December 2000 took place just weeks before he left office. He has returned on several occasions since.

• George W Bush (2004)

President Bush’s visit for an EU-US summit sparked a massive security operation as people angered at the Iraq war protested. Demonstrations were held in Dublin, Galway, Waterford and Sligo.