Moneygall ready to welcome its most famous son home

Until recently Moneygall was a sleepy little village on the road to Limerick. With the help of 3,500 litres of paint, 1,000 t-shirts, 100 flags and a mammoth effort by locals it's now ready to welcome its most famous son - US President Barack Obama - home. The village's main street, which has no ATM and as yet only plans for a restaurant, has been a hive of activity for the past few weeks as final preparations are made for the historic visit. The village has even gotten its own website - www.moneygall.com. Flags were raised by local school children last Tuesday afternoon in an offical ceremony and Barack Obama t-shirts and badges are almost uniform. Even the US Embassy has gotten caught up in the excitement, ordering a batch of 'Obama Moneygall 2011' t-shirts over the phone from Moneygall local Billy Hayes, as dignitaries expected they wouldn't have time to buy them during President Obama's trip to Offaly. After weeks of speculation, President Obama's itinerary is almost certain at this stage. He's due to land on Irish soil at Dublin airport just before 10am on Monday morning. This will be followed by visits to Aras an Uachtarain and Farmleigh, where he will meet with both the Irish President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Enda Kenny, before being transported by helicopter to Moneygall for an afternoon visit beginning at approximately 2.30pm. The President is expected to spend only a short while in his ancestral village, before heading back to Dublin for a public event and spending the night at the US Embassy. Rumours that the US President would spend only half an hour in Moneygall meeting with a select few in Ollie Hayes' bar rather than addressing thousands gathered to see him were yesterday (Thursday) quashed by his eighth cousin and Moneygall native Henry Healy. Mr Healy said the local committee in Moneygall hadn't heard anything to that effect, and were still waiting on confirmation on what form Monday's festivities will take. At the time of going to press locals were queueing to pick up tickets that will allow them access to festivities on Monday. Just down the street from Ollie Hayes is a sign announcing "It's on the way...The Obama Café". As recently as yesterday owner Paul Costello was resigned to the fact that Moneygall's first eatery wouldn't be ready in time for next Monday, and he'd have to look towards future tourists to cash in. Neighbouring businessman Billy Hayes said he visited the planned café earlier in the week and the place was "just a shell". Yesterday however a new lease of life and hope was injected in the project and it's hoped it'll open its doors in time for Monday's crowds.