US president Obama visits Ireland megathread

--LOS-- · 22-05-2011 08:51PM #1

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 · 22-05-2011 08:52PM

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

thehairyelbow · 22-05-2011 08:54PM

--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 · 22-05-2011 08:55PM

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 · 22-05-2011 08:55PM

Dublin Forum

>

Carl Sagan · 22-05-2011 08:55PM

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

--LOS-- · 22-05-2011 08:56PM

TheZohan wrote: »

Dublin Forum
>

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

TheZohanS · 22-05-2011 08:57PM

--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 · 22-05-2011 08:58PM

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 · 22-05-2011 08:59PM

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 · 22-05-2011 08:59PM

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

_whiskers · 22-05-2011 09:00PM

Me!

mk6705 · 22-05-2011 09:00PM

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-- · 22-05-2011 09:02PM

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 · 22-05-2011 09:03PM

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.

22-05-2011 09:04PM

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

MagicMarker · 22-05-2011 09:04PM

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

TaraFoxglove · 22-05-2011 09:04PM

I hope people do turn up though.

conscious · 22-05-2011 09:05PM

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 · 22-05-2011 09:05PM

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 · 22-05-2011 09:05PM

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 · 22-05-2011 09:08PM

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

TaraFoxglove · 22-05-2011 09:11PM

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 · 22-05-2011 09:12PM

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 · 22-05-2011 09:13PM

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 · 22-05-2011 09:14PM

MagicMarker wrote: »

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

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

--LOS-- · 22-05-2011 09:15PM

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 · 22-05-2011 09:15PM

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 · 22-05-2011 09:15PM

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 · 22-05-2011 09:16PM

I'm controversially leaving school early to go in.

--LOS-- · 22-05-2011 09:20PM

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!

US president Obama visits Ireland megathread

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