Obama's Irish ancestoral home may become heritage centre

THE HOMESTEAD of US president-elect Barack Obama’s Irish ancestors has been withdrawn from sale with a view to being developed as a heritage centre.

The one-acre site in the centre of Moneygall is owned by Offaly County Council and was on the market for social housing for the last two years.

Mr Obama’s great-great-great grandfather on his mother’s side, Fulmouth Kearney, was born and grew up on the site before emigrating to the US in 1850.

Though Kearneys have not lived there for generations, the site was known until recently as “Kearney’s Gardens”.

The council’s Birr electoral area committee has now approved a proposal by Moneygall councillor Peter Ormond to withdraw the site from sale and use it instead as a possible future location for a centre which would mark Mr Obama’s connection with the village.

The proposal has to go before the council’s housing, social and cultural strategic policy committee and then the full council for final approval.

The site was divided into 16 plots with a view to selling it to local people on modest incomes who would build their own homes there rather than in the countryside.

However, the economic slump meant there was no interest and the “for sale” signs have been taken down since Mr Obama’s election.

“It is perfectly located within the village. It is fortunate that we did not sell it. If it was in private ownership, it would be hard to resurrect it again,” Mr Ormond said.

“I would strongly oppose anything else going on that site. I think Offaly County Council should do something pretty soon. I’d hate to think that if Obama did decide to come to Moneygall we would have nothing ready for him.”

Ironically, the site was formerly owned by the family of Mr Obama’s distant cousin, Henry Healy.

“The council bought it from my father 30 years ago through a compulsory purchase order. Nobody knew the significance of it at the time,” said Mr Healy.

Canon Stephen Neill, who discovered Mr Obama’s Irish connections, said Moneygall residents will be forming a committee after the inauguration to exploit the connection between the new president and the village.

“It has given an injection of interest in Moneygall and put us on the map. It is an opportunity which would be silly to pass by and, if it brings tourist revenue into the area, it would be good for the whole region,” he said.

Both Canon Neill and Mr Healy have been invited to an inaugural lunch and parade party organised by the America Ireland Fund, where they hope to promote the idea of a heritage centre.