OFFALY COUNTY Council is eagerly awaiting confirmation of the details of President Barack Obama’s visit, county manager Pat Gallagher told a meeting of the authority yesterday.
Mr Obama announced his intention to visit his ancestral home of Moneygall, Co Offaly, at a gathering in the White House on St Patrick’s Day.
“We look forward to confirmation of the visit,” Mr Gallagher said, adding that the people of Offaly were “enormously enthused” by the news and “Offaly County Council looks forward to the official itinerary”.
The council will look to other counties in Ireland where previous American presidential visits have taken place, Mr Gallagher explained. “Normal protocol would then be for the Government to contact us,” he added.
Whatever is required to make the visit successful would be done, Mr Gallagher assured council members.
“Offaly County Council will do everything possible to meet whatever requests are made of us.”
Newly elected council chairman Cllr Danny Owens (FF) said it was a “great honour for this council and the people of Offaly that this visit will take place”.
Cllr Peter Ormond (FF) described the visit as a “once in a lifetime opportunity”. He thanked the manager, whom he said “has been in regular contact with the embassy for the past 2½ years”.
Fine Gael councillor Connie Hanniffy urged the council to “pull out all the stops” for what “should not only put Offaly on the map, it should put Ireland on the map”.
Cllr Molly Buckley (FG) suggested a civic reception and the establishment of a sub-committee to organise the welcome. She said preparations should begin as soon as possible.