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Obama cancels Croke Park event but plans still call for outdoor rally

O’Connell Street, College Green and military installation still in mix

AISLING REDICAN,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Saturday, May 7, 2011, 7:22 AM

Updated Wednesday, May 11, 2011, 12:22 PM

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President Barack Obama

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The White House is still deciding which Dublin venue they will hold an outdoor rally in for the president on the evening of May 23.

Croke Park has now been ruled out but other venues, such as O’Connell Street in Dublin, College Green and a military location sch as Cathal Brugha Barracks are also under consideration, the latter because it would be security proof.

Originally Croke Park was to be the venue for the outdoor rally but fears that the stadium would not be filled on a Monday night and the need for an identifiably Irish backdrop have ruled it out .

The trip will also feature the President paying tribute to one of his historical heroes, Daniel O'Connell. Obama has commended O'Connell on numerous occasions, comparing him to former American President Abraham Lincoln as a liberator of an oppressed people and society.

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One government source quoted added that the American perception of Dublin and its famous street could be something the President wants to capitalize on as he embarks on his tour of Ireland and Britain: "He wanted to do a public event and the Americans like the idea of O'Connell Street as the symbolic heart of Ireland."

The President's much anticipated trip has been subject to various changes over the past couple of weeks and whatever the final plans of Obama's trip are, he will undoubtedly draw a massive crowd to his rally ‒ just as his idol O'Connell did centuries before him.

However, no final decision has been made yet with many others pushing for College Green or a military installation where security could be guaranteed.

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johnconlan | May 07, 2011, 09:00 PM EDT

Where ever he speaks will be a special night. I saw him speak during the presidential campaign and it was inspiring. Please go see him, you won't regret it. Yes, he has not done all he promised us but it will take awhile to clean up the mess Bush left. Some Americans show much disrespect to a man who has good intentions and a heart of gold. He is the best we have right now.

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McNamara31 | May 07, 2011, 08:29 PM EDT

noracoyne... Well said and God Bless all who realize and understand this. Many of us know our Irish story very well, and the hardships of those who had to emigrate back then, and now. But just think for a moment if your people were taken in chains and turned into slaves; Obama has a legacy of people who overcame hardship on both his ancestral lines. His story should be admired, not demeaned. I hope he has a great day in Ireland.

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noracoyne | May 07, 2011, 07:55 PM EDT

its distastefil to hear the superficial and shallow comments some few make about the president .our poor ancestry was shipped off as slaves to remote countries,sent to far away prisons ,never to be heard about again.when they show up,we dont recognize them .they dont look like us anymore but there is a small flicker of irish in that soul that was taken from us a long time ago.

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jacersagain | May 07, 2011, 07:09 PM EDT

Croke Park as a venue was always going to be a no-no. Every American should know that the Irish spend Mondays recovering from a hard weekend’s socialising, certainly not willing to get up and go to Croker for something that’s not a game. >> There was a famous event that took place some years ago at one of Dublin’s most secure places – Mountjoy Prison. A notorious prisoner escaped from there after being hoisted aloft from an enclosed, high-walled prison yard into a commandeered privately-hired helicopter and flown away to freedom. Let’s put that scenario – but in reverse - into Mr. Obama’s public appearances in Ireland: who is gonna stop a privately-hired helicopter, laden with (maybe Irish) Al-Qaeda machine gunners or bombers, getting INTO any open space that Mr. Obama chooses to make his public stand speech? We must assume with some certainty that the helicopter will not be hoisting Mr. Obama aloft to be made a prisoner of to be tried on war crimes elsewhere, but rather that it will, like the WTC event, be an aircraft on a suicidal mission. Who’s gonna make sure no helicopter or privately-hired aircraft gets nowhere near the President from the open Irish airspace? The Irish Air Force will not be capable of such armed protection in the skies... Will we see Black Hawk choppers and F-15’s patrolling over Dublin and Moneygall? That spectacle would surely bring out the crowds to be present for Mr. Obama’s, erm... speech. May God keep Mr. Obama safe in Ireland – we don’t want history to record the assassination of a USA president on Irish soil from its sky.

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irishpjk | May 07, 2011, 06:48 PM EDT

He He heard that the circus would be there, no need for another clown to show up

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mamaginnty | May 07, 2011, 05:19 PM EDT

It is nice to see some friendly comments about Obama, Usually he is being ripped apart on Irishcentral.

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Searlit | May 07, 2011, 05:02 PM EDT

Clontarf, that is hallowed ground. It would be amazing, if that site was chosen, seanaci.

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McNamara31 | May 07, 2011, 03:19 PM EDT

I heard Nialls interview this past week on Irish morning radio. He mentioned that "they" were worried all the seats would not be filled on a Monday night. I really don't belive this is the case. The more reasonable concern is for Obama's security, being this is the first major international speaking event since Osama was dealt with.

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seanaci | May 07, 2011, 02:55 PM EDT

If Obama wants to honor Daniel O’Connell It would be a nice touch to have his outdoor meeting somewhere in Clontarf. This was where O’Connell’s million person meeting was to be held before it was proscribed by British prime minister Robert Peel. It was to be the high point of his campaign against the Act of Union.

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Searlit | May 07, 2011, 12:08 PM EDT

I like the idea of O'Connell Street. I went there on my first trip to Ireland. Standing on the O'Connell bridge, looking down the the River Liffey at sunset. It was surreal. Of course the statue of Daniel O'Connell is there which was wonderful to see. After reading Irish history, it was a comforting sight.

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pilib04 | May 07, 2011, 11:43 AM EDT

I thought that Croke Park was an unusual choice, for many of the same reasons that have been conjectured in the article. O'Connell Stree or Cahal Brugha seem like much better choices. My own choice would be O'Connell's tomb at Glasnevin which would conjure up the spirit of Padraic Pearse (ala O'Donovan Rossa speech). Actually where ever the speech is held is sure to be grand.

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cillowen | May 07, 2011, 10:37 AM EDT

fill up the park and have him speak from miles away - the power of technology. With him safe and secure he could still answer a question or two - a back and foth exchange. whadda u tink. The condition of housing around the park is not conducive for humans to live in - maybe they fear a soul going bonkers on the day.

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antoman | May 07, 2011, 10:17 AM EDT

For security reasons why not use a bridge?Either end can be secured.An old proverb can be tested too.They say if you sit long enough on the river bank you will see your enemies float by.Besides the unimaginable spectacle of seeing the body of Osama floating down the Liffey.Who else do you suppose Obama and the crowd may see float by?

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