A closer look at Obama’s ancestral home of Moneygall - VIDEO

met canon stephen neill shortly before 2008 and he was a very nice man and interesting fellow. His grandfather was in west Cork during the war of Independence and was a republican. Only thing I disagreed about with him was the reason for Fulmouth Kearney's emigration to the US. The Canon said that his relations had some land in America; I, on the other hand, believe that as a Church of Ireland member, living between the hurling (i.e., "republican") strongholds of Roscrea and Toomevara, he may have got out while the getting was still good and the grass in America was certainly still greener than that around him. Even though the Kearney family were cobblers, there would be little business in Moneygall, which is barely a village, never mind a town.

Hi Carrickcourt, Many thanks for your kind words. Its always amazing when I travel down to small towns and villages in Ireland to see how much history these places hold. I think it's what most people visiting Ireland remember most. We found Canon Neill (and the lads) a mine of information and so easy to interview. With regards to Magheracloone I recently filmed a small story telling night there and at Tydevnet . Would you like me to send you copys of the nights. Matt Ryan Ireland Correspondent

Loved the video about Moneygall. Interesting to hear Canon Neil's voice as I have read an article he had in Irish Roots magazine about President Obama's Kearney ancestors a few years ago. Canon Neill being of the Church of Ireland I know from personal experience how a local Canon of the Church of Ireland can help with family research as a Canon of the Magheracloone, Co. Monaghan, COI was of a great help to me in showing me the original COI parish register of that COI parish. Of course it helped that my third cousin Jimmy was also a Deacon of this church.