Only one week before Obama's visit to the tiny town of Moneygall in Co. Offaly, and officials have yet to provide basic facilities for the huge amount of visitors expected from both Ireland and abroad as well as the hordes of media crews expected.
As there is no restaurant or public toilets in this tiny village, you would expect portaloos and catering to be set up, however they are not in place and quite possibly may not be in place for the event at all.
The Irish Independent states that the Offaly County Council was in favour of allowing caterers in on the day of the visit, however, a cordon being put in place by gardai means the vehicles can not be in the village during Mr Obama's visit.
Local publican Ollie Hayes tells the Independent, that he does not have the necessary licence to sell food to hungry visitors. That maps and leaflets have been left inside Mr Hayes's bar but the traditional pub is not staffed to deal with the influx of curious and hungry visitors.
Mr Obama's advance security team arrived to Moneygall town at the weekend in a fleet of Chrysler cars, but even the CIA had to leave for lack of basic facilities along with the early arrival masses.
Let's hope the Department of Foreign Affairs, who are in charge of this visit sort out this troublesome oversight.
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READ MORE:
All articles on President Obama’s visit to Ireland
A closer look at Obama’s ancestral home of Moneygall – VIDEO
President Obama will speak at open air Snow Patrol concert on O’Connell Street
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19 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.McNamara31 | May 20, 2011, 08:36 AM EDT
@JABurke... "to cover over any Crosses of Christ, before he speaks, as was his requirement when he spoke at the Commencement Ceremony of "GEORGETOWN"...... Can we state a little truth here?.....Just one "IHS" behind the president’s podium wasn’t visible, the letters ‘IHS’ were posted elsewhere around the hall approximately 26 times. Obama also spoke of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount during his speech. The flags and drape set up behind Obama are consistent with every other presidential speech. A spokesperson from GU said: the pipe and drape wasn't high enough by itself to fully cover the IHS and cross above the GU seal and it seemed "most respectful" to have them covered so as not to be seen out of context."
JABurke | May 19, 2011, 05:36 PM EDT
Who is the President Obama bringing in his entourage? Is he bringing George Soros, Rev. Wright, William Ayers, or Nicolae Carpathia? Is he going to require the town of Moneygall to cover over any Crosses of Christ, before he speaks, as was his requirement when he spoke at the Commencement Ceremony of "GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY", a fine Jesuit University. FYI, the university covered their Cross of Christ!
McNamara31 | May 19, 2011, 01:09 PM EDT
kateomprint... God Bless and enjoy the day!
kateomprint | May 19, 2011, 12:52 PM EDT
Got my pass to see President Obama in Moneygall. So hopefully he enjoys it. Lets hope neither one of them are looking for a bathroom when they get here.
kateomprint | May 19, 2011, 11:00 AM EDT
Just spoke to my husband who is at the moment is queuing for my pass to see President Obama and I am looking forward to it. Moneygall is a small village with one main street and at the present it is inundated with people which is brilliant. News people from America are there and they are all having a good time. I don't mind if the President is pink or black he is the President of America which has been very good for the Irish and to the Irish people.
pilib04 | May 19, 2011, 10:42 AM EDT
One thing is certain. President Obama is more Irish than most of those who claim to be Irish and most of those who post on this board.
pilib04 | May 19, 2011, 10:42 AM EDT
Truethis, you are what your name says. very true
McNamara31 | May 18, 2011, 09:22 AM EDT
truethis Well said!
truethis | May 17, 2011, 09:57 PM EDT
I'm so proud of Moneygall who's about to meet our President who we in America love and proud of. Please forgive those (US) who have made those negative comments and/or remarks.....they hate on for him for basically no apparent reason just green of envy. Thank you Moneygall...I be up early in the morning Monday to watch your faces when you meet and greet our President Obama who we too love him.
badolan | May 17, 2011, 08:20 PM EDT
Of course the place doesn't have all the amenities of a large city. Who would really expect it to? It looks nice enough to me. As for the Obama haters, most of it is because he is half black and they can't accept that. Since he has dark skin, he can't be part Irish right?
Chiefjustice | May 17, 2011, 03:49 PM EDT
I lived in a small town in NYS No Public toilets not even a Pizza shop, No Gas Station. Didn't think for a minute that a small town in Ireland would have these either... As for President Obama being Irish.He'sbout as Irish as my neighbors cat.
PhlutiePhan | May 17, 2011, 03:04 PM EDT
Obama is Irish on his mother's side. Since the election, he has never talked about his mother. She has the same nickname as the missing FBI bigwig from Boston who has been hunted for quite awhile.
McNamara31 | May 17, 2011, 01:33 PM EDT
@micky74007..... And ignorance is bliss
aloistmartin | May 17, 2011, 01:21 PM EDT
This Is Ridicules Derek Obama Is as much an Irishman as I am Duke of Burgandy Viscount of Milan !
kateomprint | May 17, 2011, 12:51 PM EDT
They are coming to a small village what do they expect. I bet there are lots of small towns in America that don't have all these facilities either, so why does it come as a big surprise to them. The amount of security and stuff that is happening at the moment in Moneygall is actually funny. I bet all these guys will be going around talking into their thumbs saying things like "the eagle has landed" or some such. It really is hilarious to rest of us who live ordinary every day lives that people carry on like this. I know that cars cannot be in the village from Saturday night onwards and that all the houses are going to be searched, so everybody in Moneygall is going to have to put away their dirty linen.
micky74007 | May 17, 2011, 10:57 AM EDT
Better put some toilets in. This guy is full of shite.
marciaashley | May 17, 2011, 10:47 AM EDT
it is good to know that some people are not taken over by material things in this day and age. that is whats wrong with this world. it is give me, give me, give me. the easiest way i can get what i want. has anyone ever had an outhouse? my Mother once said "we are not to good for anything". i am more old fashioned than modern.and i will stay that way.
MMLeprechaun | May 17, 2011, 10:24 AM EDT
Take heart, Moneygall...he'll leave quickly...that's better than we in the USA can say!
mamaginnty | May 17, 2011, 10:18 AM EDT
What do they expect, it is only a small village, take us as you find us.....