Irish leader Enda Kenny's powerful eloquence in first White House visit --Obama remembers Frederick Douglass in Ireland
By: Niall O'Dowd | Published Saturday, March 19, 2011, 6:10 AM | Updated Friday, September 9, 2011, 10:08 PM
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.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Newrone | Mar 27, 2011, 11:17 AM EDT
@Trealach: "...it was incumbent on him to open his speech ás Gáilge and continue in English. Like it or not, ás Gáilge is the official language of Ireland." - What's "Gáilge"? The speech was OK; a bit too much from the paper than from the heart - Looked like it was someone else who wrote it. But then, he's standing next to a master speaker himself.
Trealach | Mar 25, 2011, 10:33 AM EDT
I wouldn't start yelling praise for Kenny just yet. The Moriarty Tribunal's report on corruption has put Fine Gael leagues ahead of Fianna Fail, with the greatest level of corruption since the foundation of the state - over the awarding of the second mobile (cellphone) license, and Kenny is stuck right in the middle of it along with his newly appointed Minister for Finance - Michael Noonan, who was a member of the government cabinet during that period. Whatever is said about Cowen (Biffo the clown) and his government, we've merely swapped him for Podge and Rodge. The only thing left to determine is - which one is Podge? Kenny certainly had a good speech writer, but as leader of this country it was incumbent on him to open his speech ás Gáilge and continue in English. Like it or not, ás Gáilge is the official language of Ireland.
curranart | Mar 25, 2011, 06:41 AM EDT
nNo better words spoken than these by mactala below. "Thug sé óráid "mhor" i teanga choimhthíoch. Is mor an trua níl labhrionn sé as Gaeilge. Ach, fan nóiméad, rinne mé dearmad, fuath a bheith aige ar an theanga Ghaeilge agus gach rudaí Éireannach. Is náire é. He gave a "great" speech in a foreign language. It is a pity he did not speak in Irish. But, wait a minute, I forgot, he hates the Irish langange and all things Irish. He is a disgrace.
seanomelbourne | Mar 20, 2011, 06:26 PM EDT
"Enda's powerful eloquence" It's not the singer we're interested in Niall it's the song.
Aughavey | Mar 20, 2011, 12:22 PM EDT
correction - she is the Queen of Great Britain & Northern Ireland and Queen of Canada and Australia and New Zealand and the Commonwealth.
mactala | Mar 20, 2011, 07:49 AM EDT
Thug sé óráid "mhor" i teanga choimhthíoch. Is mor an trua níl labhrionn sé as Gaeilge. Ach, fan nóiméad, rinne mé dearmad, fuath a bheith aige ar an theanga Ghaeilge agus gach rudaí Éireannach. Is náire é. He gave a "great" speech in a foreign language. It is a pity he did not speak in Irish. But, wait a minute, I forgot, he hates the Irish langange and all things Irish. He is a disgrace.
Searlit | Mar 19, 2011, 04:16 PM EDT
Jacersagain, thanks for watching my back, as to haikued, he hasn't taken a stab at my posts before. Oh, well he kind of makes my point in his 3/19 post. It is a complicated issue. As Socrates said 'The only thing I know, is that I don't know anything.'
maloney | Mar 19, 2011, 03:52 PM EDT
Both men give great speeches. hopefully Enda can lead Ireland to a brighter future. As for obama the only thing he's good at are lying and giving speeches.
eiriamach | Mar 19, 2011, 11:28 AM EDT
It's ironic how much the Irish immigrants had in common with Douglass and other free blacks. Douglass saw it even if the Irish immigrants did not. Imagine the thoughts of the Irish who rioted in NYC in 1863. They had survived the Famine years and were living with the ghosts of 1844-1850. They came in coffin ships because of a promise of freedom and some hope of prosperity. The fortunate ones worked 60-hour weeks of killing work with few union protections, to build a great city. Then, out of a mistaken sense of loyalty to priests, they destroyed and killed in July 1863 to resist an American president they saw as a tyrant--imposing the Civil War draft on them but not on the Protestants who could buy their way out of it and not on the blacks who would take their jobs when they were gone to the fields of war. They also had a competing Catholic duty, to obey just laws, and in the end they did. But they must have lived out the remainder of their lives after that War with so many ghosts of the past, so many wretched memories, as well as memories of some just causes fought for and won or bequeathed to their descendants and the future. If ever any should find the mercy of God and the understanding of historians, they should.
antoman | Mar 19, 2011, 11:19 AM EDT
@georgyboy-are all people from Wisconsin and of Italian descent as condescending as you?Or are you unique in this respect?
GeorgeDillon | Mar 19, 2011, 10:55 AM EDT
I'm sure I'm not the only reader who feels soiled every time he reads a post from antoman aka sirpeter. Why all the filthy abuse, SIRANTOMAN, are you unable to express yourself in normal English? Is there no community college or adult literacy course you could enroll in near where you live?
antoman | Mar 19, 2011, 07:37 AM EDT
@georgyboy/woundedbolix et al..do I use this account to read it or do I create a different account for each chapter?Do I then having read the book sit down with myself/ourselves and discuss what I/we read?I think the difficult part is choosing what account to use to leave a comment here to say I/we read it without looking like an entire douchebag like yourself.
GeorgeDillon | Mar 19, 2011, 06:54 AM EDT
There is a book called Celts and Copperheads, can't remember the author, which analyzes public opinion in Ireland and Irish America at the time of the War Between the States. It clearly shows that the majority of Irish, both in Ireland, the CSA and even the USA supported the principle of States' Rights and Independence. Sirpeter/antoman, with the aid of a good dictionary you may find yourself able to understand that book. Read it together--sirpeters, you start at the beginning: antoman, you start at the end. You'll meet in the middle, like the Continental Railroad!
haikued2 | Mar 19, 2011, 03:02 AM EDT
jacersagain, it was not unwarranted at all. The history of the Irish in America is such that in many places they competed directly with "African Americans" for work and the ethnic neighborhoods were about competing for employment and survival. Another posting says the Protestants were pro-abolition, which may be true, but don't be thinking they were pro-Irish. Cromwell had shown, clearly, what the English Protestants thought of the Irish. There were virtually no Catholics in most of the slave owning southern states, and blacks there didn't even begin to be considered equal until the 1964 legislation. It is a complex issue here, but drawing a general conclusion from one incident is simply poor or perhaps wishful thinking.
eiriamach | Mar 18, 2011, 11:26 PM EDT
I meant to write 1863, not 1853, as the Draft Riots year of course. This article was good reading, and the speeches of Kenny and Obama will be more good reading!
eiriamach | Mar 18, 2011, 11:18 PM EDT
There was a disconnection between the Irish of Ireland and the Irish in America on the question of slavery. In 1863 Irish immigrants in NYC followed Archbishop Hughes, who called supporters of abolition "infidels and heretics." Protestant clergy preached abolition, and the Irish distrusted Protestants not only because of their experiences with the British at home, but also because NYC Protestant business owners exploited Irish labor and Protestant Nativists treated the Irish as racially inferior. I realize that some have tried recently to revise the history of the 1853 Draft Riots, but the documents (arrest records, diary accounts, court testimony, etc.) are clear: poor Irish targeted Protestant businesses and black laborers during the riots; Germans mostly abandoned the riots after the first couple of days while the Irish continued for a week. The Irish in Ireland treated Douglass well, as several newspaper articles of the era indicate, while the Irish of NYC lynched blacks and burned their homes and orphanage. Why this difference between Irish immigrants and Irish at home? Probably, as Albon P. Man suggested, because the Catholic Church was the one solid connection that Irish immigrants had with their homeland-- Irish priests, Irish parishes, and familiar rituals-- and with very few exceptions, Catholic clergy in America defended slavery and the slave trade.
cillowen | Mar 18, 2011, 09:12 PM EDT
i better search for a clip of the great orator that is being claimed for end-a
jacersagain | Mar 18, 2011, 06:26 PM EDT
@ haikued2, 12.51pm today... Like Searlit, I didn’t know Mr. Douglass visited Ireland, or that he met Daniel O’Connell. We in Ireland weren’t taught that kind of history when I was in school in Dublin. I looked up on Mr. ‘Douglas’ – apparently he visited Ireland via Liverpool ON THE ADVICE OF OTHER negro people who had already been to visit these isles on the edge of Europe. So Mr. Douglass was NOT the first to visit; his visit would have been an otherwise unreported event had history not shown it to be otherwise. Your dismissive attack on Searlit’s post is totally unwarranted.
Morninghours | Mar 18, 2011, 06:12 PM EDT
BallinaLass, you can find Obama's and Kenny's speeches on the White House website. Look under Photos & Video and then find the one for St. Pat's Day. (I'd post a link, but I don't believe IC allows links to external websites.)
nicgearailt | Mar 18, 2011, 05:34 PM EDT
I have followed politics in this country for as long as I can remember. I find myself believing that President Obama is an outstanding President,and exactly who we need at this time in history. I believe that Enda Kenny is exactly the leader that Ireland needs at this time,as well. You need leaders with integrity to deal with reality,and also have a caring side. Both countries have been victims of years of fraud greed..you name it..at the hands of it's own citizenry. Moving forward.both seem exactly right for our times.Both are smart, eloquent ,with strong abilities to connect with their people. It just feels right.
antoman | Mar 18, 2011, 03:49 PM EDT
@woundedbolix-kindly use your georgedillon account when you are addressing me.For continuitys sake.Plus I'm unfamiliar with schizophrenia and would rather respond to your accounts one at a time.Thank you.
sirpeter | Mar 18, 2011, 02:50 PM EDT
Woundedbolix..The Idiot's Guide to Irish History!!!You recommend that book do you? Was it the idiot part of the title that caught your eye,when you brought it?
sirpeter | Mar 18, 2011, 02:36 PM EDT
For those who don't know this...Frederick Douglass was treated with great respect by everyone in Ireland.Quote"I gaze around in vain for one who will question my equal humanity, claim me as his slave, or offer me an insult. I employ a cab - I am seated beside white people - I reach the hotel - I enter the same door - I am shown into the same parlour - I dine at the same table - and no one is offended... I find myself regarded and treated at every turn with the kindness and deference paid to white people. When I go to church, I am met by no upturned nose and scornful lip to tell me, 'We don't allow nigg*rs in here!'"Unquoet
WoundedKnee | Mar 18, 2011, 02:15 PM EDT
A figure who has unfortunately been forgotten in Ireland is Richard Madden, who played an important role in ending the slave trade in the Caribbean. He also testified in favor of the Africans at the Amistad trial.
WoundedKnee | Mar 18, 2011, 02:13 PM EDT
antoman: Sad to see you admit to knowing so little about the history of your country. Why don't you start reading some books? Maybe you could begin with The Idiot's Guide to Irish History.
bunkerhill | Mar 18, 2011, 02:05 PM EDT
The Irish were not rioting against blacks in NYC during the civil war. They were rioting because news was coming back from the front of how they were being slaughtered and how the rich were able to buy their way out. That was also common in England. I don't know what is wrong with Irish historians. They never mention how Irish land was confiscated by the royals and given out to their English idle buddies. They never mention that there was plenty of food in Ireland but that it was shipped to England while the Irish starved. It was not famine it was genocide. Also, why was the British Army allowed to kill 13 people in a peaceful civil rights demonstration in Northern "Ireland" in the 1970, including elderly and a thirteen year old boy. We go after everyone else in the world for that type of murder, but if they are English that's okay. I think all the fighting English are dead. Why are the Israelis allowed to reclaim their ancient homeland but the Irish cannot reclaim Northern which they never left?
Whitepark | Mar 18, 2011, 01:54 PM EDT
I met Enda Kenny 18 months at a Birthday Party for a friend in a Village Pub in Ballyglass Co.Mayo "The Squeling Pig"I was impressed with what he had to say but never thinking that he would become Prime Minister some day, I wish him every sucess in his endevour to turn the Country around,
bunkerhill | Mar 18, 2011, 01:52 PM EDT
Good for Kenny. My wife thinks he is also a very handsome man, never a bad thing to be. Not happy about the queen's visit however. Hope she and her idle brood are not getting ready to move back in either in Ireland or the USA. These people didn't come by their idle lives of luxury by not being sly and crafty.
mylesie | Mar 18, 2011, 01:21 PM EDT
Read it a second time - still looking for all this eloguence!
mylesie | Mar 18, 2011, 01:19 PM EDT
Good Lord - have you found another Bono?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.