US President Barack Obama accepts invitation from An Taoiseach Enda Kenny
Its official, US President Barack Obama has accepted an invitation from An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, to visit Moneygall, latter situated on the borders of Offaly and Tipperary, here in Ireland, this coming May.
Speaking at the end of a meeting in the Oval Office with Taoiseach Enda Kenny, President Obama said he is looking forward to visiting Ireland. The President stated ‘I want to say today, that I intend to come to Ireland in May, but the date of the visit has yet to be finalised.’
He said he is ‘excited ‘ about visiting all the famous sites, but also to visit the place his great, great, great, great, great, grandfather hails from, in Moneygall. Taoiseach Enda Kenny stated the visit was a vote of confidence in the Irish people, at a time of great fiscal difficulty.
The Taoiseach assured the US President of a rapturous welcome, and said jokingly that if he wanted a round of golf he would be happy to join him.
President Obama joked back, that he had heard Mr Kenny was a good golfer, so he himself would have to practice.
On a more serious front, the US president and the Taoiseach also discussed how Ireland will bounce back from economic turmoil. Mr Obama confirmed the willingness of the United States to continue to co-operate with and give practical assistance wherever and whenever possible. “There is just an incredible bond between our two countries,” the president said from the Oval Office.” And that’s one that we want to reaffirm here today.”
Taoiseach Enda Kenny was in the White House meeting Mr Obama today for the traditional St Patrick’s Day presentation of shamrock.
Last night, Mr Kenny addressed around 1,000 guests at the annual gala dinner of the American Ireland Fund. The American Ireland Fund is aiming to raise $100m for Irish charities by the end of 2013.
Enda Kenny’s also had meetings with Vice President Joe Biden and US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.
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