MONEYGALL RESIDENTS are getting set to host their first annual festival, which will run from next Friday, July 1st to July 4th. The festival will have African, American and Irish influences in honour of Barack Obama.
Along with family days, rodeo-style entertainment, Irish and American music, Moneygall footballers will play an all-African football team in the village next Saturday.
A month after Mr Obama's State visit to Ireland, the village of Moneygall, Co Offaly, is adorned still with American and Irish flags.
Mr Obama visited his ancestral home on May 23rd, where he and first lady Michelle Obama were warmly received by thousands.
Serving tourists in Ollie Hayes's Bar yesterday, Majella Hayes said business was going well. "It's been great, busy, there's a bit of a buzz around all the time."
Ollie Hayes's Bar has become a focal point for tourists wishing to see where Mr Obama met his relatives and sampled a pint.
Taking pride of place in the pub, the drinking glasses used by the Obamas have been framed, along with the €50 note he used to pay for his drink. Other mementos, including photos, books, T-shirts and an Obama bust are displayed around the bar.
As she edged away from a Guinness tap to allow a tourist to take a picture, Ms Hayes said: "We have an awful lot of Irish visitors, we have a lot of American visitors, we have people from all over the world. There are more people around all the time but Moneygall is still the same."
Mr Obama's eighth cousin, Henry Healy, said the visit had been hugely beneficial for Moneygall. "Both economically and socially there has been a transformation in the village. Footfall each day is as strong as the days after the visit."
Mr Healy, who hasn't managed to work a full week since the visit due to official obligations, said he was thrilled by the level of goodwill he had experienced since the visit.
A new book chronicling the Obamas' visit will be launched during the festival. The book, Is Feidir Linn - A Golden Ticket to Moneygall, was compiled by journalist Eimear Ní Bhraonáin and press photographer Jeff Harvey.