One of the first actions of the new Irish government when it is elected should be to invite President Obama to Ireland.
This week opposition leader Enda Kenny met with American Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney. Kenny is almost certain to be taoiseach (prime minister), so we can assume an invite will be offered as soon as he takes office.
Under that scenario, which will happen on March 9, Kenny could hand deliver the invite to the White House in time for St. Patrick’s Day.
What a highlight it would be for Irish America if the president accepted the invite on March 17 at the annual Irish party at the White House.
An Irish visit by President Obama, either as an extension of his upcoming visit to the U.K. or a separate trip, would be a powerful boost to the country at a time when it is badly in need of one.
It would also play well with millions of Irish Americans, many of whom have memories of the transformative impact of President Kennedy’s visit to Ireland in 1963, and more recently, President Clinton’s visit to Northern Ireland in 1995 which had a huge impact on the peace process there.
Later, Clinton described his Irish visit as one of the highlights of his presidency, while Kennedy, as his late brother Senator Edward used to ruefully note, insisted on showing the home movies of his Irish trip to everyone who showed up at the White House.
In recent times, a visit to Ireland has become a rite of passage for an American president. Kennedy, Nixon, Reagan, Clinton and George W. Bush all went and had their moment in the Emerald Isle.
Obama’s visit would come at a time of difficulty for Ireland on the world stage. Ireland’s image has undergone a dramatic transformation for the worse in recent times after the collapse of the Celtic Tiger.
Editorials in the U.S. that once lauded Ireland’s economic progress now speak only of the gloom and doom that has settled like a blanket fog over the country.
A visit by Obama could be a transformative act in ensuring that the real message of Ireland can get out.
Yes, times are hard, but many of the essential fundamentals of the Irish economy remain strong.
Two massive international players in Google and Intel recently showed their continuing confidence in Ireland by making huge new investments there.
The country continues to have one of the strongest tourism products in the world, and with prices finally falling back to realistic levels visitors are finding bargains once again.
All that and a new government could kick off a new appraisal of Ireland. An Obama visit could play very well into that narrative.
There is also the factor of Obama’s own slice of Irish heritage on his mother’s side which traces to a tiny cottage in Co. Offaly.
Parish records in the hamlet of Moneygall reveal that Obama’s great great grandfather, Fulmouth Kearney, arrived in New York in 1850. He was following relatives who settled in America from the mid-1700s on.
Obama in Moneygall would be a wonderful day out for all of Ireland. The country could badly do with such a boost, and Irish Americans would definitely be on board.
Let us hope we see it confirmed over St. Patrick’s Day.
31 Comments
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.jnewnam | May 15, 2011, 11:43 PM EDT
Can you keep him for us? Forever? Then we can restore our country to the CONSTITUTIONAL Republic that is use to be before the O. Please, Please, Please!
mickcrotona | Mar 07, 2011, 08:51 PM EST
check his passport
Cherball | Feb 26, 2011, 09:14 AM EST
As a descendant to the great Ordo Cherball I say send him packing. Ireland doesn't need a handout, they will survive on there own. They have the fishing industry, lambs for wool, and men for Battle to the highest bidder.
laff1948 | Feb 25, 2011, 10:37 AM EST
It would be an honor for him, but no honor to Ireland.
simplesandy | Feb 24, 2011, 11:30 AM EST
HI EVERYONE.... I am an American living here in Ireland for last 5 years.Upon coming here I thought wow everyone would accept me because I have an Irish background...WRONG!!!! The Irish DO NOT care If your mom or dad was even born and raised in Ireland...If you were not born here in Ireland then you are not considered Irish. Not one drop. So Obama forget you have some Irish blood honey because to the Irish unless you were born here you’re NOT Irish... I did say to the many people who feel this way over here that you feeling that way is going to disappoint millions of Irish Americans. But that Didn’t bother any of them. Seems the Americans are judged by the Gov. And the TV shows America puts out...Don't say much for us Americans does it... I do have to say after ppl got to know me personally the took a liking to me and accepted me for whom I am and as one of them. I love Ireland...but yes the cost of living here is the highest in the world... It does need it's tourism back.. I wrote a song called My Ireland ...on my first visit to Ireland. It is on you tube..If anyone is interested... Now for all those who live in Ireland ...most wanted Obama elected but now say what a mistake...I get to the pubs a lot because my friends are musicians and hear what people say...they are NOT happy with the Americans.. God Bless
hyattsville | Feb 24, 2011, 10:14 AM EST
Can’t you do anything about the handbag spammer infiltrating your comment sections? Marginally more annoying than your more bigoted and narrow-minded stalwarts and that’s saying something!
funddude | Feb 23, 2011, 10:28 PM EST
You will do well to politely ask him to forget about the invitation. This one does not have the interests of Ireland in his thoughts. As it is, he is destroying the US!
peterson | Feb 23, 2011, 08:48 PM EST
Just so Ireland does not take any advice from Obama. Look at what he has done to the U.S.!!! What a tragedy !!
cajuntom | Feb 23, 2011, 08:17 PM EST
Well, it just goes to show, the same people who control Obama (and all those other presidents), control the Irish and their politicians also. One of two things is true here, the Irish leaders are either naive or they too are under "the spell". Time will tell, but I already know the answer.
Pittsburghkid | Feb 23, 2011, 08:15 PM EST
No use talking to the Irish. You think Kennedy was a great President, and ignore Reagan. Reagan's father was irish catholic, and went to mass on occasion. Reagan was permitted to choice his religion at 14. He chose a protestant religion. Reagan was the greatest American President of my lifetime. Reagan consider himself to be irish, and was a personnal friend of James Cagney. Reagan started out as a union president. He rooted out the communists in the film making union. Reagan went on as President to bring down Communist russia. Reagan lives up to the gallic meaning of his name.
hyattsville | Feb 23, 2011, 07:48 PM EST
Unbelievable response here. You truly don't recognize the salvaging that he has done to improve the mess which he inherited? The real Irish will embrace him. Who cares what the Archie Bunker 6th generation grand wizards feel really, I certainly don't.
fdgdyhty | Feb 23, 2011, 07:04 PM EST
We can supply series of Sport Jersey. welcome come to our website://madejerseys.org/ everybody!sorry bother your time a min,we are serious and professional jersey supplier,we can offer NFL,NHL,MLB,NBA jerser,the NFL jersey 18usd each,the NHL jersey 38USD each.MLB jersey 18usd each,NAB jersey 18usd each.we have many jerseys of other players, so please contact us for more information if you are interested in . 1) More pictures available on our website //madejerseys.org/ 2) Many colors available . 3) Perfect quality, small order accepted . 4) 100% safe door to door delivery, within 5 - 7 days air express for small orders . 5) We have lots of jerseys in stock 6) Letters and number are sewn on jerseys body,100% embroidery 7) Size: .48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 60 8) Delivery by UPS, DHL, EMS door to door 9) Delivery in 5 - 7 days NFL,NBA,MLB all are 18usd!!!! The jerseys in stock may be updated everyday ! come on,join us! madejerseys.org/ Read more:
vincem13 | Feb 23, 2011, 06:03 PM EST
I wouldn't wish him on you, but if he is going, please recall that all we, in the USA, have left of his Hope and Change is the hope to find some change left in our pockets to pay the taxes! Take care and count your fingers after, should he happen to shake your hand!
Blackduck | Feb 23, 2011, 05:25 PM EST
He has Bankrupted the USA don't let him near Ireland.
S7McCabe | Feb 23, 2011, 05:17 PM EST
I hope that President Obama does visit Ireland and I also hope he gives up the Presidency here in the States and decides to live in Ireland. Naaaa...I'm too Irish to wish him on anybody. By the way, do YOU have his birth certificate? He can't seem to find it and maybe it is in Ireland.
CMMcShane | Feb 23, 2011, 04:59 PM EST
My sainted Irish Mother had a saying for the likes of those who made negative comments aboutPresident Obama, "Ignorant Irish!"
REMITROMJR | Feb 23, 2011, 03:44 PM EST
Don't just invite him...keep him!
mrkennedy | Feb 23, 2011, 03:22 PM EST
Better over there as he isn't worth being called an American. When the Supreme Court hears the case before them and the new information now available showing he was not born in the USA we will rejoice to!
curranart | Feb 23, 2011, 02:38 PM EST
One of the first actions of the new Irish government when it is elected should be to go around the poor starving people in Ireland and give them a tenner for a meal, where will it come from I hear you ask. Simple out of the big fkn usless bonuses these people get for what ???? Doin a job that they get paid wages for.Any state visit by anyone should be shunned,the country has showed off to the world enough, frig Obama,frig the Queen and all else that want to come here, spend the money on the poor.
cathy/marty | Feb 23, 2011, 02:29 PM EST
It's sending a tingle up my leg
micky74007 | Feb 23, 2011, 01:16 PM EST
I have to agree with ChiChione. It would be a boost to get Obama out of the America he is trying to destroy, and doing a pretty good job of it too. Maybe he can find his birth certificate over there! I hope he can fix Ireland's economy, he hasn't been able to fix ours.
ChiChione | Feb 23, 2011, 12:15 PM EST
I think a visit to Ireland by President Obama would be a real boost. He is loved, appreciated and respected by most Americans and Europeans inspite of the news one gets from Tea Party Express networks like FoxNews, etc. He is doing an excellent job in the U.S. The problem is that many people expect a quick fix - he is a President, not a majician! Let me give people who think he is a majician an analogy: If a patient suffers from cancer for eight years without treatment do you think they will recover completely in two years? With eight years of unregulated financial dealings under the Bush Administration do you expect a total cure in just two years? Think about it!
srdools | Feb 23, 2011, 11:59 AM EST
Irelands' problems will be solved the minute obama walks across the Irish Sea from the UK
feeneycj | Feb 23, 2011, 11:24 AM EST
the dodo bird article was much better
jdi2269 | Feb 23, 2011, 11:08 AM EST
WARNING IRELAND....DON'T LISTEN TO HIS ECONOMIC ADVICE!
cillowen | Feb 23, 2011, 11:03 AM EST
He'll be there when the queen drops by. Many amers are so sick they can't figure what change is. Barak dug 'em out of a hole so deep but his racist enemies are trying to put us back into again. That's the story in a nutty shell. On top of that his and our masters decide for whom we should pull levers for. Notice his struggle with trying to be the man with the egyptian situation all the while desperate to keep things tidy for the me friends who requires constant attention. Covers the waterfrone eh what?
antoman | Feb 23, 2011, 10:37 AM EST
I guess the difference between President Obama and the Queen is that President Obama has pockets whereas the other one has none and no need for them as "one" does'nt carry money.
jkyiofyyf8tyr6t | Feb 23, 2011, 10:14 AM EST
maybe you can find answers here: ==== shopping01.org ==== 50%off ca,ed hardy t-shirt$15 jeans,coach handbag$33,air max90,dunk,polo t-shirt$13,,lacoste t-shirt $13 air jordan for sale,$35,nfl nba jersy for sale puma gucci$35,nike jordans six ring,yeezy$%5!! new era caps$13 gucci handbags jeans,t-shirts sunglass,caps true religion jeans$35,ca,ed hardy jeans$35 LV,CHANAL,HANDBAGS$35 NIKE SHOX AIR MAX TL3 OZ NZ ONLY $35 UGG TIMBLAND LACOSTE SHOES ED HARDY SHOES$35 DIESEL T-SHIRT,GSTAR T-SHIRT,CA T-SHIRT,50% OFF FOR SALE $15 DIOR SUNGLASS,DG SUNGLASS$15 our websit: === shopping01.org ====
bobduggins | Feb 23, 2011, 09:11 AM EST
We would like for you to just keep him, possible Joe Biden also, Harry Reid, Nancy Peloski, John Yarmuth and half of the so called Hollywood bunch, Jane Fonda, Barbara Streisand. that's probably enough for now. We don't want to ruin Ireland.
francisquinn | Feb 23, 2011, 09:06 AM EST
It is appropriate that Ireland invite BO since Erie is Broke and BO is an expert at spending and "transparency". Hope and Change which the US is still waiting for...
colkelley | Feb 23, 2011, 09:05 AM EST
We in the States will be excited to have him gone...and even more excited when he's REALLY gone in 2012.