18/03/2011
Obama To Meet Queen In Ireland?
US President Barack Obama is coming to Ireland, it has been revealed.
Speaking at the traditional shamrock ceremony in Washington on St Patrick's Day, President Obama confirmed his intention to visit Ireland in May - the same month as The Queen's first ever visit to the Irish Republic is also anticipated, sparking questions over a possible joint itinerary.
The President expressed his intention to visit Ireland during a meeting with the Taoiseach at the Oval Office earlier in the big day.
The President spoke of visiting Moneygall, in Co Offaly, where records have shown his ancestors lived.
"I wanted to say today that I intend to come to Ireland in May, and I'm expecting to go not only to all the famous sites but also to Moneygall, where my great-great-great-great-great grandfather hails from," he said.
The Taoiseach, pictured presenting President Obama with a bowl of shamrocks to mark St Patrick's Day at a reception where both leaders, as well as Vice-President Joe Biden made speeches, Enda Kenny said of the upcoming visit: "The news of your decision to visit Ireland in May has reverberated around the world already."
He made his comments as President Obama spoke warmly of the links between Ireland and America.
"Every year at this time we're reminded just how many strands of green are woven into our American story….In many ways, what it means to be Irish helped define what it means to be America," he said, concluding, "in the years ahead may our sons and daughters only grow closer".
There is no official date for the visit yet but Mr Obama is due to travel to the UK in late May ahead of a G8 summit of world leaders in France.
The Queen's visit to the Irish Republic is expected to take place a few weeks after the 29th April wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, and has been anticipated as being to Dublin - and to be also in May - when the US President is expected to undertake his visit.
(BMcC/KMcA)
Speaking at the traditional shamrock ceremony in Washington on St Patrick's Day, President Obama confirmed his intention to visit Ireland in May - the same month as The Queen's first ever visit to the Irish Republic is also anticipated, sparking questions over a possible joint itinerary.
The President expressed his intention to visit Ireland during a meeting with the Taoiseach at the Oval Office earlier in the big day.
The President spoke of visiting Moneygall, in Co Offaly, where records have shown his ancestors lived.
"I wanted to say today that I intend to come to Ireland in May, and I'm expecting to go not only to all the famous sites but also to Moneygall, where my great-great-great-great-great grandfather hails from," he said.
The Taoiseach, pictured presenting President Obama with a bowl of shamrocks to mark St Patrick's Day at a reception where both leaders, as well as Vice-President Joe Biden made speeches, Enda Kenny said of the upcoming visit: "The news of your decision to visit Ireland in May has reverberated around the world already."
He made his comments as President Obama spoke warmly of the links between Ireland and America.
"Every year at this time we're reminded just how many strands of green are woven into our American story….In many ways, what it means to be Irish helped define what it means to be America," he said, concluding, "in the years ahead may our sons and daughters only grow closer".
There is no official date for the visit yet but Mr Obama is due to travel to the UK in late May ahead of a G8 summit of world leaders in France.
The Queen's visit to the Irish Republic is expected to take place a few weeks after the 29th April wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, and has been anticipated as being to Dublin - and to be also in May - when the US President is expected to undertake his visit.
(BMcC/KMcA)
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