PHOTOS - President Obama's trip to Ireland - photo gallery

Follow all the stories on Obama and his trip to Ireland

Irish authorities were taken aback when US security services refused to share key information about the President Obama visit, despite the fact that he is a guest in Ireland.

However, US security services are so concerned abut Obama’s safety that key details have not been fleshed out with Irish police.

It is believed that 150 secret service agents alone are on hand to ensure that the security aspects of the trip are carried off smoothly.

But Irish security chiefs were said to be taken aback by the lack of information until the very  last second on key aspects of the president’s trip according to The Irish Times.

Having carried out flawless security for Queen Elizabeth’s recent visit to Ireland, the were expecting more input..

The president’s location overnight was only decided at the last minute with the five star Merrion Hotel opposite Irish government buildings locked down yesterday by the secret service.

It had been presumed that the president would stay in the Ambassador’s residence in the Phoenix Park where President Clinton had stayed.

It has also been revealed that Obama will visit the US Embassy in Ballsbridge , Dublin and a major security alert was under way there.

There will be a massive security presence at the president’s outdoor speech in College Green in the heart of Dublin

Key issues on whether the president would travel by car to the Phoenix Park to meet with President McAleese and the Irish government or by helicopter were also not released in advance.

The village of Moneygall has also been put in lock down with a massive security operation in place.

TV crews from around the world were on hand and were complaining that tight security meant that they might not get the best shots. The NBC Today show planned a major live broadcast from the site.

PHOTOS - President Obama's trip to Ireland - photo gallery

Follow all the stories on Obama and his trip to Ireland

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