21/01/2009

Moneygall To Build Heritage Centre To Obama

Offaly County Council have announced a proposal to build a heritage centre on the site where it is believed the new US President's ancestor once lived.

Fulmouth Kearney, third great-grandfather of President Barack Obama, who was inaugurated yesterday, is believed to have lived on the small site in Moneygall, which has laid in a dilapidated state until now.

Making the announcement, Chairman of the Council Cllr Barry Cowen said it was luck that they still owned the land as the economic downturn had warded off potential buyers.

Cllr Cowen also said was confident the new president would make a visit though he stressed he had no inside information to that effect.

"I do expect he will come. The last Democrat President Bill Clinton had a very key role in Irish affairs and, with Hilary Clinton in a key post, I'm sure she too would like the President to come to Ireland.”

Barack Obama was inaugurated yesterday at a ceremony in Washington DC attended by almost 1.5 million supporters, and screened around the world.

(DW/BMcC)

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