JUBILATION, PRIDE and relief were the dominant emotions among some 300 Democrat Abroad members who gathered at an inauguration ball in Dublin city centre last night.
“I feel America has fully realised its ambitions,” said Mary Kay Simmons a founding member of the Irish chapter.
“We didn’t elect Obama because or in spite of being black but because he was the best among us,” an emotional Ms Simmons said.
“Bush was the worst among us,” she added, reflecting the relief expressed by many US citizens gathered at the Davenport Hotel last night.
“I will be able to hold my head up when I talk about American politics again,” said Elizabeth Carmody , a New Yorker living in Ireland for almost four years.
“I have been embarrassed for the last eight years. But today I am elated. This is a new dawn and I have never been so proud to be American,” said Daria Walsh from Pennsylvania, who has lived in Ireland for more than six years.
Also attending were former classmates of Mr Obama at Harvard Law School. “He hasn’t changed much, he is the same committed and hard-working person,” said Leila Anglade. “This is a new era, it is amazing,” added Padraig O’Riordan.
Others reflected on the challenge ahead for the new president. “He is perceived as a walking Jesus. He is not going to walk on water but he will do his best,” said George Jerry, originally from New England. The inaugural address was replayed before the crowd last night to silence, tears and intermittent clapping.
The greatest cheer came when Mr Obama referred to his father possibly being refused from a restaurant 60 years ago.
There was also a laugh in the crowd when George Bush’s picture appeared as Mr Obama spoke about defence and false choices.
