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Home Page > Blogs > News blogs > Periscope > Obama likely to visit 'Lost Tomb,' resting place of early ancestor, in Kilkenny on Irish trip

Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Obama likely to visit 'Lost Tomb,' resting place of early ancestor, in Kilkenny on Irish trip

Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 06:55 PM

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This column was first to predict Obama would visit Ireland this May and now I predict Barack Obama will visit Dublin, Moneygall and likely Kilkenny City where the 'lost tomb' of his long ago relative was recently discovered.

Obama is due in Ireland on May 23rd.

St.Canice's Cathedral in Kilkenny is where the remains of Bishop John Kearney , Obama's sixth generation granduncle, is buried.
The story of the discovery of his tomb reads like a Dan Brown plot.

John Kearney was the Bishop of Ossory and a former provost of Trinity College who died in Kilkenny city at the Bishop's Palace in 1813. It is now the headquarters of the Heritage Council.

Film maker Gabriel Murray, who has made a documentary on Obama's Irish roots, finally found “Obama’s Lost Tomb” inside the 13th century St. Canice’s Cathedral.

Murray, along with Cathedral assistant Frances Moore, used a centuries-old map to identify a hidden vault under the floor of St. Canice’s.

They deciphered the Latin on the hundreds of tombs inside the vault, when they came across Bishop John Kearney’s resting place, number 19 on the map, just 20 yards from the main entrance.

Kilkenny's relative proximity to Moneygall --it is about 60 miles would make it a obvious choice for a major address by Obama after Moneygall.

It is also the only known physical family connection.
Moneygall is where his sixth generation ancestor Fulmuth Kearney left from to move to America.

A trip to Northern Ireland has been specifically ruled out according to sources who say that British Prime Minister Cameron would have to be there to greet him and the two men are due to meet in London a day later.

White House sources say they have been swamped with offers for Obama to speak in Ireland but the advance team is only just being put in place now.

Now the exciting prospect of a visit by the 44th president of the United States is on the horizon.

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gaelhound | Mar 23, 2011, 09:37 AM EDT

It is all about 2012 and getting whatever is left of the Irish American voting bloc. I predict at least one major gaffe about the connection to or culture of Ireland.

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Paradigm | Mar 23, 2011, 09:32 AM EDT

I just wonder who's making a cod of who? The Irish are related to everyone where its good for a story and I doubt if dithering Obama has much of a clue about Ireland, let alone Kilkenny and Moneygall, except that its 'out there' somewhere. The more I see of Presidents from the U.S (the West) the more convinced I am that the 'Wise Men' came from the east!

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antoman | Mar 23, 2011, 09:28 AM EDT

The Queen of England must be very powerful to say that she can come to Ireland and have the President of America as a personal bodyguard.

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francisquinn | Mar 23, 2011, 09:21 AM EDT

Maybe the Irish can find a job for him as a cemetery caretaker....as a decision maker he is awful...his "clear cut" policy on Libya is as clear as mud....it changes each day.....this job would be good for him....he can change flowers on the graves each day...

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jamieLM | Mar 23, 2011, 08:36 AM EDT

I just wonder how much of an emotional connection he'll have to a sixth generation granduncle - not even a grandfather. It seems like a stretch. I doubt he grew up hearing very many stories, if any, about Ireland and his Irish ancestors and family members. At least he'll be seeing a beautiful country and should be impressed by the landscape and those among the Irish people who decide to welcome him as a guest to their country, regardless of politics.

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antoman | Mar 23, 2011, 08:04 AM EDT

Given the comments here by members about his birth certificate.I'm reminded of the film The Omen.Perhaps it would be wise if the tomb was opened and inspected just to be sure what lays inside is human and not the remains of a dog.One thing I'm certain of is that he will be received very warmly here in Ireland by the people.

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