THERE have been conflicting reports today as to whether American President Barack Obama will visit his ancestoral home in Offaly later this year.
In a front page story the Irish Daily Star claims that the President will make a three day trip to Ireland, which will include a trip to Moneygall, in June.
The report claims that groundwork is already underway adding that there has not yet been official confirmation due to security reasons.
The Star states that details of visits my American Presidents to other countries are normally published at short notice.
_______________
SEE ALSO
Barack Obama inauguration party underway in MoneygallOffaly celebrates Barack Obama election_______________
However a report on Ireland Online published this morning states that the American Embassy stated 'nothing is confirmed' about a visit by US President Barack Obama to Ireland.
The report states that a spokesperson for the embassy said that while US Ambassador Dan Rooney has expressed the hope that President Obama would make it over here during his first term in office, 'nothing has yet been arranged'.
While this is not a denial that the eagerly anticipated visiti will take place, it suggests that
A visit to Ireland by the President has been flagged since he came to power in America in January last year.
President Obama is descended from the son a shoemaker who hailed from the village before emigrating to the US.
Fulmuth Kearney, Barack Obama's great-great-great grandfather, was 19 when he emigrated in 1850 to escape the Famine.
