NEW YORK BOSTON |#Popular: Irish Celebrity Gossip Irish Pubs Irish Festivals Irish Roots Irish Entertainment Offbeat Irish

Home Page > Blogs > News blogs > Periscope > Irish leader Enda Kenny's powerful eloquence in first White House visit --Obama remembers Frederick Douglass in Ireland

Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Irish leader Enda Kenny's powerful eloquence in first White House visit --Obama remembers Frederick Douglass in Ireland

Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 11:01 PM

Larger Text

E-mail

42 Comments

RSS

Archives

The White House: President Obama looks older than a year ago when I saw him in the flesh last. There are more creases on his skin, more tiredness lurking around his eyes.

No occupant of the White House leaves office unscathed, the heavy burdens of the job drag down even the most vital of men.

This night Obama looks tired but is in fine spirits. Like most American politicians, especially those from Chicago he is comfortable in an Irish crowd and it shows.

His annual White House party has become the highlight of the Irish social year with tickets scarcer than a hen's teeth. On this night we had all crowded into the East Room to hear Obama, Vice President Biden and new Irish leader Enda Kenny proclaim a new era in Irish American relations.

Outside the White House fountain spurted deep green water and Obama joked that the White House workmen had done a proper job this year, unlike last when the watery green color had hardly done the job.

Obama began with a telling history lesson.

He described the voyage of the great African American leader Frederick Douglass to Ireland where he went to escape the slave catchers in 1845.

Douglass became heavily influenced by Daniel O'Connell, the 'Liberator' who led Irish Catholics to emancipation and detested slavery. O'Connell's embrace of non violence deeply impacted Douglass as Obama pointed out.

He talked about the upcoming visit to Ireland and what it would mean to him. Arguably He will be the first truly significant black figure since Douglass to visit Ireland.

The linkage between black and Irish was also on the mind of Enda Kenny.

In a soaring speech, among the finest I have heard by any Irish politician, he compared the slave trade in West Africa that brought millions in chains to America to the flight from death and starvation of the Irish who came on the coffin ships.

"Together we built America" he said.

He spoke about the importance of the upcoming visit by Obama coming at a time of great trial and challenge for Ireland.

He made it clear that Obama would get a hero's welcome in his ancestor's village in Offaly and that the plain people of Ireland would give him a wonderful reception.

Looking at Kenny so in command and coming across so powerfully I could not but think that cometh the hour cometh the man.

He certainly possesses that great ingredient for success which is sheer luck.

His predecessor Brian Cowen, a thoroughly decent man, was hit with a ton of bricks soon after taking office when the economic crisis hit. He never recovered

Kenny on contrast will host the American president the Queen of England and if reports are true the pope next year.

But Kenny gives the clear impression that high office will not daunt him, that he will remain rooted in the soil of his native County Mayo and not develop the arrogance so prevalent in the previous government.

He has certainly got off to a lightning start in America.

E-mail

42 comments

Previous Page 3 of 3 pages

haikued2 | Mar 18, 2011, 12:53 PM EDT

Let's hope that his ability to speak is matched by his ability to manage the situation in Ireland today. Old saying: Action talks and BS walks.

Report abuse

haikued2 | Mar 18, 2011, 12:51 PM EDT

Huh: Searlit "I hate to admit this, but I didn't know that Frederick Douglas had been to Ireland, either. It shows that most Irish people were on the side of African Americans - not like they were depicted in the New York riots." You are jumping to a general conclusion unsupported by history just because one man, Mr Douglas, went to Ireland and was accepted by those wanting freedom there. Back to school for logic lessons, Searlit. Your post is like the media when one event takes place in New York and the panic is spread all over the country...bad conclusion.

Report abuse

BallinaLass | Mar 18, 2011, 11:32 AM EDT

I would love to hear Mr. Kenny's speech. Does anyone know if it was recorded/filmed? Go raibh maith agaibh.

Report abuse

19bajspwn | Mar 18, 2011, 11:31 AM EDT

I thank you for this fine report. Am proud of my Irish heritage and my American BEING that both leaders were so recognized. I know you will treat Mr. Obama with grace and good fellowship when he comes to Ireland.

Report abuse

pilib04 | Mar 18, 2011, 11:05 AM EDT

And of course the President will get an outstanding from our newly elected TD for Offaly, Brian Stanley. Cead Mile Failte, President Obama.

Report abuse

sryjsryjsryj | Mar 18, 2011, 10:52 AM EDT

our website: asyup. c o m BEST QUALITY GUARANTEE!! SAFTY & HONESTY GUARANTEE!! FAST & PROMPT DELIVERY GUARANTEE!! Packing: All the products are packed with original boxes and tags also retro cards/ code numder A ir jo rdan (1-24) sh oes ($33) Ha ndba gs(Coach,ed har dy,lv,d&g) ($35) Bik ini (Ed har dy,polo) ($25)

Report abuse

carrickcourt | Mar 18, 2011, 10:34 AM EDT

Well said Niall. All the best to Taoiseach Kenny, he has his work cut out for him. One issue that must be addressed down the road by the new Taoiseach is what Tommy Graham, Editor of History Ireland, says is the need to tackle the issue of 'the current disconnect between the political system and the ordinary citizen' of Ireland.

Report abuse

jacersagain | Mar 18, 2011, 10:22 AM EDT

Sure isn’t ‘Edna’ still on post-election honeymoon? Of course any speech he makes during it is gonna be ‘well-received’, not least by Niall O’Dowd with his still-watery eyes after the Irish election result. Aside from me jibe, I do wish Enda Kenny all the best in his efforts to turn the good ship Éire around in the storm.

Report abuse

Derrylass627 | Mar 18, 2011, 10:02 AM EDT

It's very good that Kenny is so well-spoken and makes such a good impression. At this time in the recession that helps a great deal to show that Ireland might be somewhat down, but it sure isn't out. Also, let me say that the NY Riots betweeh Irish (mainly) and Blacks around the time of the American Civil War, was mostly due to them all vying for the very, very scarce jobs available.

Report abuse

Searlit | Mar 18, 2011, 09:51 AM EDT

I hate to admit this, but I didn't know that Frederick Douglas had been to Ireland, either. It shows that most Irish people were on the side of African Americans - not like they were depicted in the New York riots.

Report abuse

Bailey2000 | Mar 18, 2011, 09:29 AM EDT

Here in Ireland there is a great feeling of a new start. As you say Brian Cowen was thoroughly unlucky but because of his past he simply was never an acceptable leader for the tough times we face. Mr Kenny is off to a solid start and I believe even those who don't support him sincerely wish him well in turning the small ship of state.

Report abuse

antoman | Mar 18, 2011, 08:26 AM EDT

I was aware of Frederick Douglas from watching that great American documentary by Ken Burns about the American Civil War but I did not know he had been here to Ireland.

Report abuse

Previous Page 3 of 3 pages