Moneygall celebrates independence all weekend

Six weeks after the President and his wife visited Moneygall, the village is hosting a four day festival starting today leading up to American Independence Day on Monday (July 4). The festival won't include a return visit by Barack and Michelle Obama, but it will boast a recreation of the Obamas' arrival by helicopter to the small town thanks to Barack Obama impersonator Aaron Heffernan. The celebrations have been organised by a group of ten locals who were involved with the Presidential visit organisations. Now set up as the Moneygall Development Association, they're looking to keep the spotlight trained on Moneygall into the future to improve the area's economic outlook. "The idea is if the organising committee can bring in more business it keeps Moneygall alive," Barack Obama's eighth cousing from Moneygall Henry Healy said. "That's what it's all about." "Everything is falling into place," Henry told the Offaly Independent this week. "I don't think we'll ever be able to replicate the President but we'll try and keep the association alive." Weekend highlights include karaoke and Na Fianna tonight. Tomorrow African team One World will line out against Moneygall FC as part of a family sports day, while the town will dance to the beat of street music all day from Pat Costello, TippOff, Niwell Tsumbu and more. Sunday will see "Barack" returning by helicopter, along with family fun and music including Tullamore Gospel Choir. Monday sees the launch of a new book chronicling the Obamas' visit. "Is Feidir Linn - A Golden Ticket to Moneygall" was compiled by journalist Eimear Ni Bhraonain and photographer Jeff Harvey and will be launched at 8pm by Ollie Hayes and Henry Healy. TD Marcella Corcoran-Kennedy has praised the festival committee saying the achievement of bringing President Obama to Moneygall had brought about "a massive transformation in the village". Welcoming any initiative to boost tourism she said it's wonderful to see the international spotlight "continuing to shine on this little corner of Offaly".