the most special of days…..

The slideshow is by The Irish Times – you can see the original version here

Herald: President Barack Obama has vowed to make a return trip to Ireland with his two daughters. A full state visit is now on the cards after the US President was stunned by the response of the Irish people.

Mr Obama was overheard telling the crowds of well-wishers: “We’ll have to bring our girls to see Moneygall.”

As the President was forced to cut his trip short last night, Irish authorities extended a fresh invitation for a longer stay.

A Government source said that the President was genuinely stunned by the huge crowds and enthusiastic welcome in both Dublin and Offaly.

“He expected that the Irish would be good fun but it wasn’t until he got here that he fully understood the excitement around his visit.”

This video was made by our very own Donna:

Donna? You’re a gem 😉

cuz!

Irish Times: Barack Obama delivered his cúpla focal (Irish for ‘a couple of words’) with such aplomb last Monday because he had practised them on a receptionist at Dublin’s Merrion Hotel before taking to the College Green stage.

As the president was leaving the five-star hotel where he had been due to spend the night, he stopped and chatted with staff, including Bernie O’Meara from Birr. Once he heard she was from Co Offaly, his ancestral home, he started calling her “cuz” and spent several minutes trying out his Irish on her to ensure he got his pronunciation just right.

…Mr Obama exited the hotel through a marquee erected at the entrance to ensure there was no line of sight. As the visit came to a hurried end, staff wanted a picture with the president, but their professionalism would not allow them to ask. They were not to be disappointed, however. “Mr Obama asked if he could have his picture taken with us before he left,” said the hotel’s general manager Peter McCann.

What else could they say but “Yes you can”.

Full article here

omg!

😆

Jedward meet the Obamas, Dublin, May 23

the state dinner, london

Queen Elizabeth, President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and Prince Philip in Buckingham Palace ahead of a state banquet

eye to eye ;-)

President Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron visited a local school in London to play table tennis and review several school design projects, including one the students called “Dish Dash” – a carryout box that folds out into a bowl or plate and then back again.

When a teacher suggested that the students needed an investor and offered a British name, the president had a different idea.

“Or Donald Trump in the U.S. I have a connection with him,” Obama said, gesturing with his two fingers as if to say he and Trump, his one-time nemesis, see eye-to-eye.

(From GOPolitico)

tea time

First Lady Michelle Obama and Samantha Cameron, wife of British Prime Minister David Cameron, talk before having tea in the private residence at Downing Street in London, England, May 24, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

hey, the president drove past a todder today!

Thank you so much for sharing the photos, Titti 😉

“tumbling in the polls”? oh really?

I heard a Republican-supporting creature (didn’t catch his name, but he looked like a lizard who badly needed to go to the toilet) tell Sky News UK today that the President’s approval ratings are “tumbling”. 🙄

He’s up again today with Gallup (to 51) – and even GOP Rasmussen have him up too! GOP Reuters? 😆

bat man!

President Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron play table tennis with students of the Globe Academy school in London on May 24

‘you can kiss the american auto industry goodbye’

Steve Benen: Time for another victory lap – “Chrysler said Tuesday that it had paid back $7.6 billion in loans from the American and Canadian governments, marking another significant step in the revival of the company, the smallest of the Detroit automakers”. The Obama administration is hailing the repayment as proof that its policy worked – an argument that has the benefit of being true. Indeed, Obama’s policy has proven so effective, Chrysler is paying back American taxpayers six years early.

Full post here