US president Obama visits Ireland megathread

--LOS--

What's the story, is everybody too preoccupied with the Queen's visit to care about Obama's visit tomorrow? The lack of interest around here is indicative of nobody showing up in town and Obama having to endure an awkward private dance from Jedward

TaraFoxglove

If I was in Dublin, I would go for a look.

thehairyelbow

--LOS-- wrote: »

What's the story, is everybody too preoccupied with the Queen's visit to care about Obama's visit tomorrow? The lack of interest around here is indicative of nobody showing up in town and Obama having to endure an awkward private dance from Jedward

Don't tell me those two muppets are going to be there. Could someone take them aside and have a little talk?

Posy

I'll probably see him as I struggle for several hours to try and get home from work in Stephen's Green. Damn you Obama.

TheZohanS

Dublin Forum

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Carl Sagan

Doesn't really seem all that exciting. It slipped my mind though to be honest - I haven't really heard much about it.

--LOS--

TheZohan wrote: »

Dublin Forum

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People can visit from areas other than Dublin and besides he wont just be in Dublin tomorrow!

TheZohanS

--LOS-- wrote: »

People can visit from areas other than Dublin and besides he wont just be in Dublin tomorrow!

Yeah I know, but who in their right mind would visit Offaly?!

flyswatter

Thinking about it but Dublin is going to manic, mightn't be worth the effort.

Look at the Europa League Final and the lack of interest there.

It should have been a massive event for the country and judging by the Soccer forum thread, didn't look like many were arsed.

What's happened to this country?

Yakult

flyswatter wrote: »

Thinking about it but Dublin is going to manic, mightn't be worth the effort.

Look at the Europa League Final and the lack of interest there.

It should have been a massive event for the country and judging by the Soccer forum thread, didn't look like many were arsed.

What's happened to this country?

Its the Europa League, nuff said.

Killer Wench

I think people are just too pooped after all of the hassle with the Queen's visit.

_whiskers

Me!

mk6705

flyswatter wrote: »

Thinking about it but Dublin is going to manic, mightn't be worth the effort.

Look at the Europa League Final and the lack of interest there.

It should have been a massive event for the country and judging by the Soccer forum thread, didn't look like many were arsed.

What's happened to this country?

A recession is basically a collective negative mindset, which explains all...

--LOS--

TheZohan wrote: »

Yeah I know, but who in their right mind would visit Offaly?!

I...ummm...

nope I can't argue with that

flyswatter wrote: »

Thinking about it but Dublin is going to manic, mightn't be worth the effort.

Look at the Europa League Final and the lack of interest there.

It should have been a massive event for the country and judging by the Soccer forum thread, didn't look like many were arsed.

What's happened to this country?

I'll be back in town tomorrow and in walking distance from the CC so I'm not sure either but it would be interesting for the novelty factor

But then again everybody was all over the Queen's visit, are we just lazy arses and its all too much for us?

My name is URL

I'd be lying if I said I had any interest in his visit. All he's going to do is give an empty pep-talk and share a few anecdotes about his Irish roots.

I went to see Clinton when he spoke in Dundalk.. now that was a meaningful visit.

My daughter is an American citizen, so I kind of feel i should go in with her to see him. But, effort...

MagicMarker

What time is he on at? And who's the support act?

TaraFoxglove

I hope people do turn up though.

conscious

If I do go in it will be to protest, not to support! Actually I don't see why any good person would go in to support Obama!

MagicMarker

conscious wrote: »

If I do go in it will be to protest, not to support! Actually I don't see why any good person would go in to support Obama!

Racist.

Fluorescence

It would be cool to go and be part of a kind of historical moment, but I'm just wondering if there might be trouble and if it will be worth the hassle getting in and out of town when Dame St and surrounding areas are cordoned off...

Pauleta

He's a bit too left wing for my liking. I will watch it on TV.

TaraFoxglove

Pauleta wrote: »

He's a bit too left wing for my liking. I will watch it on TV.

No political party in the US is left-wing.

conscious

MagicMarker wrote: »

Racist.

I'd be protesting against Obama because he has the blood of thousands of innocent lives on his hands!

If you want to ignore what his foreign policy causes in this world and just call everyone who protests against him a racist, then your an absolute joke!

MagicMarker

conscious wrote: »

I'd be protesting against Obama because he has the blood of thousands of innocent lives on his hands!

If you want to ignore what his foreign policy causes in this world and just call everyone who protests against him a racist, then your an absolute joke!

So the story is, you're not a racist?

conscious

MagicMarker wrote: »

So the story is, you're not a racist?

Considering I'm black, no I'm not a racist!

--LOS--

MagicMarker wrote: »

What time is he on at? And who's the support act?

....

WESTLIFE, IMELDA May and Jedward, along with actors Brendan Gleeson, Stephen Rea and Gabriel Byrne, will warm up the crowd at Monday’s public event for US president Barack Obama at College Green.

Sporting stars Padraig Harrington, Robbie Keane and Brian O’Driscoll are expected to make appearances, as are Sharon Shannon, Mundy, the Coronas, the Irish Chamber Orchestra, soprano Celine Byrne and Co Monaghan songwriter Ryan Sheridan. The event, described by the Government as a “public celebration”, was planned to last 90 minutes, but may be shortened. Some acts may be dropped.

Mr Obama is scheduled to arrive back from his visit to Moneygall, Co Offaly, during the performance, and will be introduced by Taoiseach Enda Kenny. He will be accompanied by first lady Michelle Obama, but the couple’s children, Malia and Sasha, are not attending as they are in school.

The event is open to the public and is free. Tickets will not be required. People have been advised to go early – security gates open at 2pm, three hours before entertainment starts.

The public should enter the security gates at the intersection of Parliament Street and Dame Street in front of Dublin Castle. They will have to arrive from the west or north as other access routes will be blocked. Adjoining streets will be blocked and car parking severely restricted.

Signs, banners, food and beverages will not be allowed, though cameras and mobile phones will be.

US secretary of state Hillary Clinton is scheduled to meet Mr Obama when he travels on to London on Tuesday.

A US diplomatic source said the visit, which includes his family homestead in Moneygall, was primarily a personal journey: “He knows plenty about his Kenyan side; now he’s anxious to know about the Irish side of his family”.

The visit will cause some air traffic disruption next week, mainly when Mr Obama arrives at Dublin airport on Monday morning and departs on Tuesday morning.

The Irish Aviation Authority said other air traffic would be suspended for about half an hour on each day.

It isn’t clear how many people will attend the College Green event, but the venue was chosen because it could accommodate crowds of varying size. Signposts, street lamps and other street furniture were being removed yesterday for the event.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/0521/1224297467292.html

fluorescence wrote: »

It would be cool to go and be part of a kind of historical moment, but I'm just wondering if there might be trouble and if it will be worth the hassle getting in and out of town when Dame St and surrounding areas are cordoned off...

I definitely wouldnt bother if I had to make travel arrangements. But public visits like this are rare enough, I remember President Mary Robinson coming to visit my school and it being a huge deal.

TheZohanS

conscious wrote: »

Considering I'm black, no I'm not a racist!

Now that's a racist comment to make. :eek::eek:

Black people can be racist too.

My name is URL

conscious wrote: »

Considering I'm black, no I'm not a racist!

What.. so only white people can be racist?
You're such a racist!

only joking =p

Superbus

I'm controversially leaving school early to go in.

--LOS--

Please let's not make this thread about racism

Superbus wrote: »

I'm controversially leaving school early to go in.

I'm not that well acquainted with funkytown but you can always use the traffic disruptions as your excuse!

McChubbin

I'm not going in- tomorrow's my cookery class down at the day hospital. We're making bacon-wrapped chicken. President or no, McChubbin does not wait for bacon.

My name is URL

Could they not have done this thing in Croke Park? Seems like an awful lot of bother for something that's going to last 90 mins at a maximum.

They're removing street lights and signposts ffs!

Posy

He's only coming here while his plane refuels on it's way to the U.K so he can shut Enda "pleeease come to Ireland, your great great great great great grandfather was Irish" Kenny up the next time he's in the U.S giving Obama some shamrock.

conscious

My name is URL wrote: »

What.. so only white people can be racist?
You're such a racist!

only joking =p

Right yea, I meant I'm not racist towards Obama

MagicMarker

conscious wrote: »

Considering I'm black, no I'm not a racist!

OMG you are!:eek:

conscious

Posy wrote: »

He's only coming here while his plane refuels on it's way to the U.K so he can shut Enda "pleeease come to Ireland, your great great great great great grandfather was Irish" Kenny up the next time he's in the U.S giving Obama some shamrock.

Yep, news is he stoppin off to get a quick blowy from enda on his way to england!

Fluorescence

--LOS-- wrote: »

I definitely wouldnt bother if I had to make travel arrangements. But public visits like this are rare enough, I remember President Mary Robinson coming to visit my school and it being a huge deal.

It's hardly out of my way - I live 30 mins from town by bus, but all the buses I can take go down Dame st and they'll be diverting far from that area I imagine. Effort of finding out their new routes :P

OutlawPete

I might, dunno, If I can get a view somewhere as I eat a Burger, then yeah, I'll go.

Then again, maybe not .. Christ, I'm so indecisive today.

It'll be manic tomorrow, so don't forget to play The Bangles when you wake up.

df1985

I would have gone but jedward will bring a crowd of screaming **** who dont give a dam the US president is there.

sonic85

will there be any miniature american flags distributed?

holystungun9

Does he have to fill in one of those customs card things? Also, he better not screw with my flight into Dublin tomorrow morning and my subsequent bus (through the city) home.

the groutch

I'll just be glad when it's all over and done with, for the last week the whole city centre has been on lockdown, and we've been treated like prisoners in our own city.

Don't give a toss, so no.

goat2

weather forecast is bad for tomorrow, also being monday, petrol prices, people will not be driving distances to see him,
but i hope he enjoy his trip, and that the people he meet while here will make a good impression on him

admiralofthefleet

ah sure i might wander in

Posy

OutlawPete wrote: »

I might, dunno, If I can get a view somewhere as I eat a Burger, then yeah, I'll go.

PM me if you get this view. Oh, and get me a burger- I'll buy you a drink at the next beers to pay you back.

(PS- a cheeseburger)

Posy

goat2 wrote: »

weather forecast is bad for tomorrow, also being monday, petrol prices, people will not be driving distances to see him,
but i hope he enjoy his trip, and that the people he meet while here will make a good impression on him

Enda Kenny and Jedward? Christ, he'll be having flashbacks for weeks. :eek:

Sprouts

I think it's good in a way that he thinks the Irish American vote is important enough for him to visit. When you see him describe how hes related through a great great great great great grandparent and kind of laughing as hes saying it, well I just feel embarrassed by it.

OPENROAD

Sprouts wrote: »

I think it's good in a way that he thinks the Irish American vote is important enough for him to visit. When you see him describe how hes related through a great great great great great grandparent and kind of laughing as hes saying it, well I just feel embarrassed by it.

Only here for less than 24 hours though, would Irish Americans vote for him cause of this :eek:

Posy

sonic85 wrote: »

will there be any miniature american flags distributed?

Abortions for some. Miniature American flags for others.