Back

Search
« Back

Moneygall booming after President Obama’s visit there

Big rise also reported in women drinking Guinness

By: SEAN O'HARE | Published Tuesday, May 31, 2011, 7:12 AM | Updated Wednesday, June 1, 2011, 6:33 PM

The little town of Moneygall in Offaly is flooded with tourists since President Obama’s visit there last week.
 
The center of the activity is Ollie Hayes’s pub on Main Street where Obama downed his now famous pint of Guinness and his wife had a half pint.
 
 Hayes told the Irish independent that business was booming and that more women were drinking Guinness after Michelle Obama tried a half pint.
 
"Lots of Americans are coming in and it's much busier than this time last year. I can't put a figure on it but it is much, much busier."
 
"Mr Obama has been here now, so many people are coming to the village and visiting different shops around and then coming into the pubs and having a cup of tea or a drink.
 
"There are a lot of people around now as I speak; a lot of Americans and a lot of Irish, too. It's great for business in the community."
 
Niall Gibbons, chief executive of Tourism Ireland, said Ireland had to grasp the opportunity presented by the Queen and President Obama visiting.
 
"The historic visits have provided us with an unparalleled opportunity to drive home the message around the world that there has never been a better time to visit the island of Ireland," he said.
---------
READ MORE: 
 
Follow all the stories on Obama and his trip to Ireland
 
PHOTOS - President Obama's trip to Ireland - photo gallery
 
An amazing encounter with President Obama in Ireland
---------

6 Comments

Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.
« Back