The Obama Diary

The Herald (Ireland): The eighth cousin of Barack Obama has received a personalised present from the US President - as a thank you for the reception on his visit to Moneygall.

Henry Healy, affectionately known as ‘Henry the Eighth’, was given a leather-bound notebook - with the Presidential seal and signatures of Obama and his wife Michelle - by US embassy staff last week.

The accountant met Obama when he visited Moneygall, his ancestral Irish home, on his trip here in May.

A delighted Henry said: “The embassy staff brought it down to me last week. I’ll be keeping it and I won’t be writing in it. I still even have the wrapping paper it came in and it’s something I’ll treasure for many years to come.”

Moneygall publican Ollie Hayes received two silver goblets from the President, as well as gold cufflinks from the US advance team.

Henry also celebrated Independence Day in style yesterday, when he was invited to the US Ambassador’s residence to join in the celebrations there.

Thank you ctgirl7