Obama To Visit Ireland In May

President Barack Obama's visit to Ireland will most likely begin on May 22nd, two days after Britain's Queen Elizabeth leaves, marking an historic week in Ireland's diplomatic history.

The visit of two powerful heads of state within days of each other will provide a much needed boost to national morale, which has taken a drubbing since the economic crash.

Confirmation of the Presidential visit came during the annual celebration of Irish-American solidarity at the White House on St Patrick's Day.

The new Taoiseach Enda Kenny presented Mr Obama with the traditional bowl of shamrock, and received an early boost to his term in office by securing a visit from the president within weeks.

"From my meeting with the president, he is very warm and affable and generous towards Ireland," said Mr Kenny, "Considering the number of international problems on his desk right now, I think it's a real statement of confidence in our country and our people that he is actually coming to Ireland in May."

Tourism and business chiefs are hopeful that the visit of President Obama will send out a clear signal to the rest of the world that despite the IMF/EU bailout, Ireland remains very much open for business.

"No country in the world could expect to have a situation where the Queen of England and the President of the United States visit inside a week," Mr Kenny added.

"From that point of view, it's an incredible opportunity for Irish tourism and Irish business and Irish people to respond to."

Mr Kenny said it was clear from his meeting with Mr Obama that it was time for people in Ireland to start believing in themselves again.

On a personal level Mr Kenny, who has passion for American politics, said it had been a privilege and an honour to sit in the Oval Office with the President of the United States on behalf of the Irish people.

Exact details of President Obama's visit are still to be worked out, but it's likely to last two or three days and he will be accompanied by his wife Michelle on the trip.

Certain to be included in the itinerary is Moneygall, the tiny County Offaly village where his ancestors lived.

During remarks at a Friends of Ireland lunch on Capitol Hill last week, President Obama had a joke at the expense of the "birthers", the conspiracy theorists who believe he was not born in the USA.

"There has been some controversy about my own background," he said, "Two years into my presidency, some are still bent on peddling rumors about my origins.

"So today, I want to put all those rumors to rest

"It is true my great-great-great-grandfather really was from Ireland. It's true. Moneygall, to be precise. I can't believe I have to keep pointing this out."

Falmouth Kearney, a shoemaker, emigrated from Moneygall to the US in 1850 at the age of 19.

The clean-up is already underway at No 123 Main Street, the small house now built on the site of the old Kearney home.

"I was out this morning already clearing moss off the roof," its owner John Donovan told the Irish Times on Saturday.

"The next thing I have to do is powerhose the front, and do a bit of painting. There was supposed to be a plaque on the wall but it hasn't gone up yet."

He said there would be no question of asking the house's current tenant to leave.

"Obama might only be here for 10 minutes, but my tenant will be here far longer," said Donovan, "And she's the one who'll be paying the rent, not Obama."

Other likely places for the president to visit will be St Canice's Cathedral in Kilkenny, which holds the remains of Bishop John Kearney, a provost of Trinity College who was Mr Obama's great-great-great-granduncle.

Mr Obama said he wanted to see some of the "great sites" of Ireland, and was also hoping to fit in a round of golf with Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

It's expected Michelle Obama will have a separate series of side engagements, including possibly a visit to some schools.

US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said she was excited that President Obama was visiting Ireland.

"I love to be in Ireland under any circumstances," she told reporters on Friday.

"I do have a lot of good ideas about what the President would like to do that I will share with our ambassadors and others who will be planning the trip.

"In a time of very big challenges, from nuclear reactor dysfunction to continuing strife and conflict, this is a very good news story"