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Obama’s trip to Ireland now said to be a one day affair

Hopes fade about to extending to a second day

JAMES FARRELL,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, April 26, 2011, 7:03 AM

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

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President Barack Obama

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Read more: Prime Minister slams opponents of Queen, Obama visits

Barack Obama’s trip to Ireland will last 24 hours and no longer according to Washington sources, despite speculation it might be extended another day.

Despite the best efforts of the Irish government and US Ambassador Dan Rooney it looks like the visit will commence on Monday May 23rd with Obama’s arrival into Dublin Airport. Hopes had been expressed that he would jet in on the Sunday, May 22nd.

He will meet with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny and President Mary McAleese as well as members of the Irish government.

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He may also go to Glasnevin Cemetery on his way in from Dublin Airport to visit the grave of Daniel O’Connell, who was deeply influential in the life of Fredrick Douglass, the freed slave and writer who Obama deeply admires.

He is expected to depart for Moneygall via helicopter for the visit to his ancestral home which is expected to be the highlight of his trip.

After Moneygall he is expected to fly back to Dublin and to appear at a special rally in Croke Park where up to 80,000 Irish are expected to greet him.

He will overnight at the residence of US Ambassador Dan Rooney before departing for London for a state visit the following day. It is not known if there will be a program for him on Tuesday morning before he departs.

Nster.com

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19 Comments

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pilib04 | Apr 28, 2011, 08:27 PM EDT

The President has an ideal itinerary. Ancestral birthplace, Croke Park and Glasnevin. Wow. If I only had one day, that would be my choices!!! Enjoy, Mr. President the Cead Mile Failte that you are about to receive. The Irish people love you the same way the MAJORITY of Americans do. Unlike the teabaggers on this blog.

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unconvinced | Apr 27, 2011, 09:42 AM EDT

24 hours too long

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TiocfaidhArmani | Apr 27, 2011, 05:16 AM EDT

Any news on how you will be able to get tickets for the Croke Park event? I'd love to hear him speak in person. G'wan O'Bama!

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seamusmoore | Apr 26, 2011, 08:23 PM EDT

@kateomprint Sorry we won't see you love; if the phone doesn't ring, it is us calling (to quote an old country and western ditty).

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seamusmoore | Apr 26, 2011, 08:21 PM EDT

@simplesandy The US immigration laws were disproportion-ately advantageous to Ireland under the quotas established under the 1921/24 immigration Acts.Then the first US President that Ireland fawned promised the DEV-il (the Man who made a lasting mess of your country)that he would make it more difficult for Ireland's "best" to emigrate to the US. Edward "No Moore, Thank God He's No Moore) Kennedy kept his brother's promise to the DEV-il and, ergo, no more favorable immigration for Ireland. Or did you want to blame that on Bush as well along with the rest of the the mental midgets (forgive me, Mensa candidates) in the Emerald Isle.

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jamieLM | Apr 26, 2011, 05:44 PM EDT

kateomprint - the posters on IC are hardly "the majority of Americans" and so they don't speak for all Americans. When it comes to bigots and racists, all countries have their fair share of them, even Ireland.

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kateomprint | Apr 26, 2011, 04:23 PM EDT

I hope he enjoys the visit to Moneygall. I din't realise that the majority of Americans were such bigots and racists until i joined Irish Central. That is one Country I will never go on holidays to.

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Whitepark | Apr 26, 2011, 03:28 PM EDT

My suggestion to Barack is to skip out on all the Hoopla in Dublin and continue on to Ballinrobe for the Sheep shearing contest, you will have more fun and no stress trying to say the right thing to please all the Politicians.Its a very layed back town and it will put Irish Sheep shearing on the Map.

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carollover | Apr 26, 2011, 02:18 PM EDT

I was in Ireland several years ago when that tough guy George W. came for a visit, and no one could get within miles of him. They set up detours and we had to drive 70 minutes out of our way to get where we were going because he didn't want to hear any protestors. What a wussy.

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PETERROBRIEN | Apr 26, 2011, 01:50 PM EDT

One day may be much too long - With the large group that he thinks he needs for this photo opwill be one hugh mess - Took two days to clear up the traffic problems in L.A.- The Queen will be much easier to deal with - Obama belongs in Washington trying to clean up the finacial disaster he created instead of out spending vast amounts on this kind of foolishness for his ego trip -

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jdi2269 | Apr 26, 2011, 01:24 PM EDT

LUCK OF THE IRISH! HOWDY DOODY THERE AND GONE IN 24 HOURS!

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biggles008 | Apr 26, 2011, 12:30 PM EDT

Would he visit Ireland if Irish Americans had no vote?.

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John5319 | Apr 26, 2011, 11:44 AM EDT

What does Ireland expect from this narcissistic egomaniac? He loves those who cater to him, and they Irish are stronger than that. If he visited longer they'd have to COVER UP all those Christian crosses just like Georgetown University had to cover up theirs when made a speech there after being elected !! Remember to that his wife has an entourage almost twice the size of the Barbara Bush, and yet the Irish people really expect him to "care"? They must be impressed by the high level of commitment this administration has to their concerns. After all he seems to care more about is the 64 holes of Golf he's played, on the taxpayer Credit Card since becoming a world "leader". Is it any wonder why the Queen's family didn't invite him to the Royal wedding? It must have been the Cd's he gave the Queen with HIS speeches to hear, now that would upset any rational thinking person, but not the quintessential campaigner-in-chief !!

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simplesandy | Apr 26, 2011, 11:36 AM EDT

when he gets here in Ireland ..can someone tell him to open the doors of America to all the Irish and not make them go through hell to get into America..you know the land that the Irish forfathers helped to build ...

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Monsoonman | Apr 26, 2011, 10:20 AM EDT

It's all about getting the Irish American vote, nothing more.

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