Irish Times: IF HOME is where the heart is, then Barack Obama became a true son of Ireland yesterday. And we all walk a little taller today.
But none more so than the villagers of Moneygall, who welcomed the president of the United States to their tiny village in Co Offaly and fell head over heels for his irresistible charm.
It is a day they, and we, will never forget….…From the moment Obama stepped from his armoured Cadillac SUV, he had the air of a man who meant business. One side of the long street was lined with people, many with babies and young children, who had stood and waited for more than five hours in atrocious weather to see the president.
“They’re like emperor penguins huddling against the Antarctic winter,” remarked a man from Foreign Affairs.
….The cheers that greeted him shook the very summit of the Slieve Blooms. And then the sun came out … The hug for young Henry was wide and warm and it set the tone for what was to come. After the pleasantries, Obama loped across to the swooning, screaming, singing crowd.
He plunged in – grabbing hands, grabbing babies, kissing babies; grabbing grannies, kissing grannies, getting kissed by grannies; hugging blushing farmers, embracing swooning teenagers and high-fiving simpering young fellas.
He posed for photographs, flashing that famous smile. Crowd-surfing toddlers were bumped over adult heads and into his hands … He talked and he listened and he laughed. The delirious crowd broke into song….
…Gorgeous Michelle, smiling in a shimmeringly elegant silk coat which was absolutely soaked with rain ….A little girl held up a sign: “Did you bring Bo?”….
…Stuffy? Reserved? Awkward? Not this fella. He could have given lessons yesterday to Bill Clinton.
Back outside, the crowd waited for Barack’s return. Ten minutes later, still wearing their damp clothes, the presidential couple emerged and they worked their way right to the end of the line. This was pure gold from Mr and Mrs President.
Finally, they took their leave, but they took their time. Obama, waving goodbye again and again and, just before his motorcade took off, he stood on the running board of the SUV, turned to the people and waved again.
What he left behind was like the aftermath of a benign whirlwind.
…“He held my hand, then he touched my hat, then he pulled me forward and kissed my cheek,” said Anne Maher, like she was describing the final chapter of a Mills and Boon novel.
…Everyone had a story … A perfect day…..
Full article here
THESE ARE SUCH BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES…THANK YOU FOR GIVING US ALL THE AVAILABLE PEEKS INTO SUCH A BLESSED DAY! I WOULD LOVE TO SEE OUR FIRST COUPLE GET THIS KIND OF RECEPTION EVERY DAY!
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS Sue, and me toooooooo
Thanks chipsticks I have been hoping to see the headlines in Ireland. Morning and have a great day.
“he could have given lessons to Bill Clinton.” Take that stupid lying Maureen Dowd. Think I’ ll send her this article.
Loved that line too Proud!
Smack her over the head with it
Don’t forget to balance the smack with this part –
‘Obama was a revelation: this guy who is not supposed to do sentimentality; who reputedly finds it difficult to jettison his bookish reserve and become “a man of the people”. It’s a desirable quality for a politician.’
Yeah, take that Maureen Dowd. I am going to send her this article too. I told her about herself last night, this will highlight my point!
Moneygall After Party …. source Henry Healy (I must teach cousin Henry how to use his cell recorder)
http://twitter.com/#!/henryhealy
FYI
The hometown news online is a little slow…. Thi si the newspaper that changed its name for the presidential visit from the ‘Offaly Independent’ to the ‘OBAMA INDEPENDENT’ but only for one day . I would LOVE to get my hands on that edition.
http://www.offalyindependent.ie/
Top of the morning Chips and TOD. I feel asleep early yesterday and have been up since 4am reading all the goodies I missed last eve. I love the article from “The Irish Times” Such an uplifting and fun read. Here we are today ready to watch the State Visit. I see the article stated that all flights to Scotland are cancelled. It’s a good think they came over to England yesterday. The Queen and Obamas will have much to share about their visits to Ireland. Off to a good day.
President Barack Obama – “a true son of Ireland” – my heart gushes with pride at the warm welcome bestowed on the Obamas as a member of their family. He is truly a globalized President, not only in his DNA but in his character and personality in the way he connects with people. He is pure gold.
Thanks soooo much for all the updates Chipsticks!!!
I think the second article and the image they have of Mrs. Obama is tacky.
I agree Deagara. Apparently someone had a sense of humor, yet it could have been reserved for a more amusing situation. Why focus so on someone’s hair blowing except to laugh about it? Reporters….yuk!
Me too, of all the pics they could have used…they pick the one where her hair is blowing up like that ;o( All I got to say is Michelle must have a really good perm LOLOLOL IN the rain or sunshine she is still the FLOTUS!
I went back and looked at it, and it was admittedly a poor choice, but it shows Mrs. O interacting naturally with someone, with little thought for the wind in her hair. That says a lot to me about FLOTUS’ priorities, so I’m going to hang on to that.
VC preOfan2,I am going to hang on to your interpretation…it makes me smile!
Well, It may appear tacky, because It was so windy there at the time of their arrival, I think.
What a wonderful article- absolutely TRUE writing (finally) about Mr. & Mrs. President (I loved that
I woke up an hour late this morning, so have missed the meeting by the queen- but am so sure you have more goodies up for us Chips- thanks for this FABULOUS article and I’ll forever love the Irish for the kindness and joy yesterday- exept for the pundits- blech to them
What a beautiful summary of that “perfect day”. “fell head over heels for his irresistible charm”—-I think we all understand that sentiment—-and is that what is bothering all his critics here? The answer is undoubtedly “yes”.
Pop Pop pop! Boom! Rattle-bang! Crash! THUD!
That’s the sound of Maureen Dowd’s head exploding after reading all these wonderful reports of our President’s visit in Ireland.
Good Morning my family here. I hope no one gets upset when I greet you as my family. I do not have my family out here with me(they’re on the opposite coast), but you all feel like a loving brother(which I have) and nieces and great nieces. Again, our lovely Chipsticks is doing it again for us this morning. Thanks you our precious and dear one. You make so many of our lives such a joy daily. The article is such a lovely gem. Our beautiful President and First Lady will have in their memories for life such lovely ones from their visit in Ireland. Beautiful day for all of us who enjoy our gift in our President.
Yes, lets be sure Maureen Dowd reads this, do we have her email so we can flood her in box with it? They saw in our President and First Lady what we on this site see. So much positive energy being sent their way. Could we put together a photo book of all the great photos taken of their visit (all on this site) and send it to his village? From us to them.
HZ..we are a family here.
P. S. And if you do the photo book, could you send a copy to Old Dowd, interspersed with the articles, and a note saying something along the lines of – “Just thought you’d like to see what true, unbiased reporting looks, and reads like.”?
Yeah- Ms. Dowd is going to be hearing from me, I wanted to cool down a bit before I email her. As to the book it is a lovely idea.. I have become very fond of fellow Obama family in Moneygall and would really like to keep up on them.
Wow, Potus and Flotus represented us good and did us proud. I love the irish people for the love they showered our first couple with and most especially the people of Moneygall. That was a great article and couldnt help lol about, Anne Maher’s description sounding like ” the final chapter of the Mills and boom noevel”. Reminded me of high school and reading those mills and boon novels.
Asher, I did a double take when I read that. Dating ourselves (along with the author), are we?
I know VC, that was hilarious. VC, I was addicted to those novels and used to sneak then into class and read under the desk. fantasing about those romances. VC, happy that you too read those novels. LOL.