A Thousand Irish Welcomes (Cead Mile Failte) to Obama and the Queen

Prince Albert of Monaco's visit to Ireland a fortnight ago, The Dalai Lama's visit this week, the Queen's visit to Ireland in May, and 'el presidento' Barack Obama's sojourn to his ancestral homeland 'the emerald green isle of scholars and saints,' means that Ireland is the place to visit this summer.

Queen Elizabeth has been on the throne for 59 years (surprisingly, it actually feels longer) and Ireland is one of the few countries that she hasn't visited during her reign. While there are historical and cultural reasons why she hasn't been able to visit the 'Irish Free State'-most notably the troubles in the North- her visit marks a watershed in Anglo-Irish (not the now defunct bank) relations.

Barack O'Bama with extra stress placed on the O' is about as Irish as they come, yet this is his first trip to Ireland. He is to visit his ancestral hometown of 'No' MoneyGall, Co.Offaly, where his Irish forebears resided- his great great great grandmother circa 1851. There is a certain sense of nostalgia that resonates in the memory of the Irish when we think about the great bond between America and Ireland. J.F.K's visit to these shores in 1963 attracted hundreds of thousand of Irish men, women and child to line the streets; their reverence for the first Irish-American president, and his pride at returning home equally matched.

While the bond between Obama and Ireland may not be as tight as that of J.F.K or even Clinton; it still shows the pride that the American diaspora takes in being Irish. As an Irishman, I am the first to admit that we as a 'people' neglect the significance of being Irish. Of course, it isn't easy in these times, being the 'pariah of Europe,' with what remains of our political sovereignty hanging by a thread as the EU/IMF continue to roll in their 'metaphorical tanks' on government buildings. And whilst the new government are holding tight, "no surrender," Enda Kenny cries, "we're Irish we know how to fight," one can't help think that Ireland despite our economic woes isn't as bad as us Irish 'doom and gloom' merchants make out: after all the queen, the president of America, and the Dalai Lama wouldn't just take a holiday to any 'auld' dump, would they???

We have spectacular rugged landscape, from the Cliffs of Moher, to the ?ran Islands to the Ring of Kerry and Newgrange; we have a rich history and culture that simply can not be eroded just because we're 'broke'. The Irish sense of humor and good nature is back, once again: it got overtaken by greed, money and status during the Celtic tiger era. Even the 'rip off republic' the mantra of the noughties no longer remains true. The country has so many good bargains now, perhaps, this is why the queen is visiting, maybe in her old age she is becoming more frugal with her money??? (lol).

The world's media will descend upon Ireland over the coming months, and then we will be able to rebuild our slightly damaged reputation. Without doubt now is as good a time for our American, Canadian and European friends to come and retrace the steps of their forefathers with Obama and co.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/6320005

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