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Moneygall welcomes home their most famous son Barack Obama - VIDEOS & PHOTOS

President's long awaited visit to his ancestral home did not disappoint

KATE HICKEY,

IrishCentral.com Editor

Published Monday, May 23, 2011, 4:06 PM

Updated Monday, May 23, 2011, 4:18 PM

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Michael and Barack Obama enjoy a pint of Guinness in Ollie Hayes in Moneygall

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After weeks of preparation the people of Moneygall, County Offaly, were not disappointed by President Barack Obama's short visit today. Obama and his First Lady Michelle were greeted warmly by the cheering crowds that lined the streets.

Upon their arrival in the town Obama and Michelle took time to greet the public. As 3,000, security vetted, locals lined the streets the President the First Lady warmly greeted the crowds shaking hands, hugging and even cradling three babies.

The crowd lined the American and Irish flag decked streets and stood at least 15-feet deep. Some of the crowd told the press that they had been waiting in the rain and hail for three hours but it had been worth it. The Obama's worked the crowd for almost 20 minutes.

As the rain once more threatened their visit Obama and his wife ducked into Falmouth Kearney's home. This house is built on the site where Obama's ancestor, a shoe maker from Moneygall, left in 1850 to create a life for himself in the United States.

John Donovan, a shopkeeper, funeral director and farmer who owns ancestral home, said: "I'm so nervous I can't talk…We have the place spic-and-span." When he was asked whether he would serve Obama tea he said "I think he's more interested in a pint."

How right he was. After visiting Obama's ancestral home the couple ducked into Ollie Hayes pub where they enjoyed a pint of Guinness, all the while comfortable chatting with the public. Entering the pub he said "What a thrill it is to be here".

Back in 2008 on his Presidential campaign when he first became aware of his Irish roots he said that he hoped to one day have a pint of in his local in his ancestral home and today that dream came true.

After a quick pause for a family photo op with his cousin Obama called for a pint of Guinness.

One man in the pub commented to Obama "You look a little like my grandfather." Obama joked with him saying "We may be related to him as well. I'll have to check it out when I get back…What's your name?"

Speaking to the crowd in the bar Obama said "There are millions of Irish Americans who trace their ancestry back to this beautiful island. Part of why this makes it so special is because the Irish influence on American culture is so powerful in the arts, in politics, in commerce."

At the conclusion, he said: "And with that let me have a pint."

The pair then went up to the bar and ordered a glass and a pint of Guinness. He said "You tell me when it's properly settled, I don't want to mess this up."

"What do we do while it settles?" the First Lady asked.

"I've been told it makes a difference who the person behind the bar is, that people are very particular who is pouring the Guinness, am I right about that?...I want to get it perfect."

The President said that he had had his first pint of Guinness on a layover in Shannon Airport while on his way to Afghanistan. He said "It was the middle of the night, and I tried one of these and I realized it tastes so much better here than in the United States. You're keeping all the best stuff here."

After Obama had drunk about three-quarters of his pint they left and went to greet the public again. The crowds were hysterical out on the streets and the CIA officers seemed a little nervous at the enthusiasm of the 3,000 crowds. However this didn't stop Obama and Michelle stretching into the crowd and grabbing babies they were passed forward to them. Obama even rocked one of the babies back and forth.

Then couple then got back into their car to travel by helicopter to greet the crowd of over 25,000 in Dublin City Center.

Although Obama only stayed for an hour in the small village and his Irish roots may stretch back for generations it is certain that he and his elegant wife stole the hearts of this 300-strong town today. It was clear that Obama was happy to be home and the people of Moneygall were only too happy to welcome their most famous son.

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McNamara31 | May 25, 2011, 10:32 AM EDT

John5319 comments and Fox News style “verbiage”, are direct results of the Glen Becks, Rush Limbaugh’s and Roger Ailes of the world. The serious side of this issue is Ailes and Murdoch are making profits feeding bigotry and mistrust to stable, and unstable people as well. The shooting of Rep. Gabby Giffords in Arizona, a state that was filled with hate rhetoric in the weeks before she was shot by a un balanced American gun owner is an example. Can anyone confidently state, that the hate rhetoric, combined with Palin's irresponsible depiction of gun cross hairs over Gabby Gifford’s face, did not add the fuel to the fire of this unbalanced individual? Fox News is playing with fire.

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kateomprint | May 25, 2011, 07:14 AM EDT

Yeah got to shake his hand and got a hug and kiss from Michelle she looked absolutely beautiful. She is more beautiful in real life than on tv or pictures in the papers. He met nearly everybody in Moneygall. We waited for about three hours. I have relations in Moneygall so we stayed overnight. The atmosphere was more like a street party. I know some people don't like him or his policies but look we have welcomed the Queen of England and gave her the respect she was due as the Head of State of another Country why wouldn't we do the same for the President of America and his wife. I keep saying this because I believe it America has been great for Ireland and the Irish and will be now and in the future. So good luck to both of them.

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VernonC | May 25, 2011, 12:17 AM EDT

I don't think anything, he may have had an ancestor with an Irish name but his DNA didn't come from that ancestor, his white/Caucasian DNA came from his white/Caucasian mother, not from a male line. He is the last of her line, he can't pass her DNA on. DNA doesn't recognize arbitrary national borders but his white half is descended from his mother, she from her mother, and on and on. He has to look farther back to find a Celt connection.

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Searlit | May 24, 2011, 10:17 PM EDT

@kateomprint, did you get to shake his hand or talk to him or Michelle Obama? They and the crowd looked like they were on cloud nine. I felt very proud and happy watching the videos of the Obamas in Moneygall and the president's speech in Dublin.

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badolan | May 24, 2011, 05:28 PM EDT

John5319 Do you actually believe your own BS? My God, read your comments before posting. You sound like a whiny nitpicking jackwad. Either that or you actually believe that Rush L and Glenn B garbage. You can't be that stupid.

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deburca | May 24, 2011, 04:32 PM EDT

@John you are an idiot. I know this is not a very well thought out comment on my part, but it's the best your comments deserve - I wouldn't want to waste a second more on you or your ignorant, uninformed tbagger drivel.

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Brolaur | May 24, 2011, 01:44 PM EDT

Now irishimport, I suppose you'll want his great, great great grandfather's birth cert! Really, you're a very sad, silly boy/girl!

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John5319 | May 24, 2011, 12:04 PM EDT

NOTICE WHAT the Liar-in-Chief says 2:20 into this when he says "the first time I had a Guinness was when I was flying into Shannon airport ..." then he goes on to say "and I tried one of these, and realized that it tastes so much better here than in the States". Did he get off Air Force One to grab a beer? VERY Unlike a President of the United States to do that at night!! So a question folks, how would he know, if he never had one prior to his coming into Shannon airport on his way to Afghanistan ???? This reminds me of films of heir Hitler, laughing at his accomplishments while his troops stormed into Poland. The devil that is Satan can project the necessities of man, until man realizes the deception, and sees he can't do anything about it for the damage is done, his soul for the Truth is gone

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John5319 | May 24, 2011, 11:49 AM EDT

This reminds me of films of heir Hitler, laughing at his accomplishments while his troops stormed into Poland. The devil that is Satan can project the necessities of man, until man realizes the deception, and sees he can't do anything about it for the damage is done, his soul for the Truth is gone.

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ochshane | May 24, 2011, 10:33 AM EDT

He'll be back to help with the turf footing.

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kateomprint | May 24, 2011, 08:25 AM EDT

Had a great day in Moneygall. They were both very friendly and relaxed.

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cupertino | May 23, 2011, 06:53 PM EDT

Oh how lovely to have one of our own return! This bar scene is in stark consrast to the Windsors visit. The "stiff upper lip" apparently enveloped their whole body on the day they were asked to share a pint. How rude to refuse but what else should we expect from them. Good job Obama you were very much at home in Moneygall. Come again soon!!!!

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irishimport | May 23, 2011, 04:56 PM EDT

I hear that there are doubts as to whether Falmouth Kearney was really born in Ireland :)

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