A heritage centre to mark new US President Barack Obama's connection with the Co Offaly village of Moneygall has been endorsed by the county council and by Shannon Development, the local tourist agency.
Tonight at its monthly meeting, the council approved a proposal by Moneygall councillor Peter Ormond to proceed with a centre on the ancestral homestead of Fulmouth Kearney, President Obama's third great-grandfather who left the village in 1850 to emigrate to the United States.
The site, which is just off the main street of the village, was zoned for social housing, but there was no takers for the 16 plots which were allocated two years ago.
Cllr Ormond said he was “delighted” with the support of the council and a committee will be formed when Canon Stephen Neill, who discovered President Obama's connection with the village and Henry Healy, the new president's distant cousin, return from Washington where they are the guests of the Irish American Democrats.
“I was particularly delighted with the support of the county manager Pat Gallagher. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the village,” he said.
Earlier today, Taoiseach Brian Cowen's brother Cllr Barry Cowen, who is currently chairman of the council, said a centre could be of “great historic, social and cultural significance”.
"It is an opportunity that ourselves and Shannon Development are going to explore. I hope we will all be here to witness the day and that day, if it comes, is a day that will never be forgotten," he told RTÉ's Tubridy Show.
Shannon Development heritage and tourism director John King said it recognised “the huge significance of President Obama's achievements and the enormous potential it has for Ireland for Co Offaly.
“At this time, Shannon Development is working with Offaly County Council exploring possible options for the development of a heritage/tourist development in the Moneygall area.
“Shannon Development would be interested and welcome ideas from the community and other interested parties.”
It was standing room only in Hayes' pub this afternoon for the inauguration ceremony with hundreds of local people joining tourists and passers-by. A huge cheer erupted after the new President was sworn in and the pub fell silent for his 25 minute oration.
Children from the local national school waved American flags as they watched the inauguration beside a blue flag with the seal of the President of the United States and its motto 'E Pluribus Unum' – “out of many we are one”.
Among those who watched the inauguration were President Obama's relatives including the mother and three sisters of Henry Healy.
Susan (née) O'Meara, who is due in March, said she will not be calling her child Barack if it is a boy. “Barack O'Meara - I don't think so,” she said.