US President Barack Obama sipped a pint of stout and cuddled babies today as a tiny Irish village today welcomed home “a long lost cousin” with an outpouring of affection.
Hoisting a glass of Guinness at Ollie Hayes pub as fiddle music played, Obama thus began a four-nation tour of Europe with a celebration of his ancestral roots.
Roars of delight from thousands of rain-lashed people lining the street greeted the president and his wife, Michelle, as their motorcade pulled to a stop in Moneygall.
The sleepy village of 300 was the birthplace of Obama’s great-great-great grandfather, Falmouth Kearney, a shoemaker who left in 1850 to begin a new life in the United States.
This makes Obama, the son of a Kenyan father and Irish-American mother, one of 37 million Americans who claim Irish ancestry, and he was greeted like a long lost son. The powerful images could help his 2012 re-election campaign.
For Ireland, Obama’s arrival, and the visit of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth last week, are a welcome distraction from the global attention paid to the country’s financial woes.
Obama will also visit Britain, France and Poland on a week-long trip in which he will discuss such issues as Afghanistan and Pakistan after the killing of Osama bin Laden, the world economy and the “Arab spring” uprisings.
“Welcome home, Mr President,” a man yelled as the Obamas reached deep into the throng to shake hands.
Three babies were handed over a security barricade for pictures to be taken with Obama. Women hugged and kissed him under the watchful eye of his security detail. Dozens of American flags festooned the village’s one street.
Heard on the radio about the same time was a popular song, “There’s no one as Irish as Barack Obama”.
“I’m here to see Obama ... our long lost cousin,” said Moneygall resident Rob Lewis, 28.
Inside the pub, which was lined with framed photos of Obama, the president Obama met Henry Healy, a 24-year-old distant cousin. He joked with the bartender to make sure the Guinness had settled properly before he and Michelle took sips.
“I don’t want to mess this up,” he said before saluting the bar with a “Slainte” – Irish for cheers – and a long gulp.
Moneygall is capitalising on its famous connection, selling everything from Barack Obama fridge magnets to Barack Obama plastic lighters. Tee-shirts with slogans such as “What’s the craic Barack?” and “Is feidir linn” – Irish translation of “Yes we can” – are top-sellers.
Speaking in Dublin after talks with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, Obama paid tribute to close Irish-American ties and expressed satisfaction at economic stabilisation in Ireland.
“What I emphasised is that we want to continue to strengthen the bonds of trade and commerce between our two countries, and that we are rooting for Ireland’s success and we’ll do everything we can to help on the path to recovery,” Obama said.
Obama was given a present of a hurley stick, used in Ireland’s native sport, hurling, and practised swinging it.
Henry Healy, Obama’s 24-year-old distant cousin from Moneygall, told Ireland’s state broadcaster that villagers had painted the front of their houses to prepare for the visit.
“Nearly every American president makes the visit to Ireland and it’s very special that President Obama is actually really able to make that personal connection by coming back and being able to trace his roots and come and see the ancestral home,” Healy said.
Later in the day Obama is expected to make a public speech about US-Irish ties in Dublin. Tens of thousands of people are likely to brave high winds and driving rain to hear him speak.
Many Irish people were thrilled that Obama was visiting their country, particularly the week after a landmark visit by Queen Elizabeth. Some Dublin pubs put up banners welcoming the US president.
“We’re a tiny nation of four million people so it’s a lovely gesture him coming over. Given that we’ve had the queen as well it’s been a momentous week. It’s a lift for Ireland,” said Susannah Moore of Dublin city.
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