For some rather fun Friday news while we’re all awaiting the pardons that Bush will sneak into today’s news dump, mr. emptywheel’s home County Council has set aside the chunk of land where Obama’s Irish ancestors lived so they can make it into a tourist site (h/t squirt).
THE HOMESTEAD of US president-elect Barack Obama’s Irish ancestors has been withdrawn from sale with a view to being developed as a heritage centre.
The one-acre site in the centre of Moneygall is owned by Offaly County Council and was on the market for social housing for the last two years.
Mr Obama’s great-great-great grandfather on his mother’s side, Fulmouth Kearney, was born and grew up on the site before emigrating to the US in 1850.
Though Kearneys have not lived there for generations, the site was known until recently as “Kearney’s Gardens”.
[snip]
“I would strongly oppose anything else going on that site. I think Offaly County Council should do something pretty soon. I’d hate to think that if Obama did decide to come to Moneygall we would have nothing ready for him.” [my emphasis]
Some people put out a glass of wine just in case Elijah happens to show up. The Irish make sure they’ve got a "heritage centre" ready in case Obama drops by. The Irish–never missing an opportunity to cater to American tourists!
Canon Stephen Neill, who discovered Mr Obama’s Irish connections, said Moneygall residents will be forming a committee after the inauguration to exploit the connection between the new president and the village.
“It has given an injection of interest in Moneygall and put us on the map. It is an opportunity which would be silly to pass by and, if it brings tourist revenue into the area, it would be good for the whole region,” he said.
The picture above, btw, is me and mr. ew–we beat the American tourist stampede to Moneygall by visiting last May. The plot of land in question is probably within view of that picture–trust me, there’s not much "centre" to Moneygall.