Obama to visit ancestors’ village during Irish trip

US President Barack Obama is planning to visit the village of his ancestors when he travels to Ireland in May.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Mar 2011, 06:00 BST

Word of the historic Irish trip spread quickly after it was revealed by the President during a meeting with Taoiseach Enda Kenny in the Oval Office.

Mr Kenny was making his first St Patrick’s Day visit to the White House since being appointed to office just over a week ago.

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President Obama said he was very much looking forward to the trip.

He added: “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 go to Moneygall.”

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 Irish Republic is also gearing up for an expected visit from the Queen in May.

Records show Obama’s great great great great grandfather was a shoemaker in Moneygall and his son, Fulmuth Kearney, left for New York in 1850.

Related topics:Ireland