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President Obama: Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen and He "May Be Cousins"

March 17, 2009 11:37 AM

President Obama welcomed Irish Ambassador Michael Collins to the Oval Office today with some interesting news.

"My mother's family can be traced back to Ireland," President Obama said, "and it turns out that our first Irish ancestor came from the same county that Taoiseach once represented. So we may be cousins. We haven't sorted that through yet. But even if blood we're not related by culture and affinity ... by friendship we are certainly related."

Collins was joined by Irish Ambassador Michael Collins and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin (pronounced MEE-hull Martin, according to some helpful Irish reporters who have clearly already been celebrating). All three were sporting green ties and shamrock "bouquets" on their lapels.

The president was joined by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and his national security adviser, retired Gen. Jim Jones.

The president said he was incredibly honored to have Taoiseach there, "an affirmation of one of the strongest bonds of people that exists in the world." The bond and friendship between the U.S. and Ireland is very important, the president said, and as they had been discussing is something they can't take for granted.

"We are grateful for the lasting friendship that exists between us," said Obama, clad in a pale green tie.

Cowen said that the U.S.-Ireland relationship is "based on substance," and noted that more than 44 million of Ireland's 70 million diaspora are in the United States.

The president added: "Although I think it's wonderful that you visited the Oval Office and Washington, what you're really missing out is the South Side Irish Parade in Chicago, which I think is one of the great events."

He added that he couldn't have as much fun attending the South Side Irish Parade today as he could have before he became president because he now has the press following him around.

-- Jake O'Tapper

March 17, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (20)

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We may not always agree with Obama (especially his comment about the Special Olympics), but there's no denying the great tradition that is the South Side Irish Parade!

Posted by: southwestobserver | Mar 20, 2009 11:26:21 AM

Didn't Obama reschedule an important meeting for this Irish nonsense? I see his priorities are in order of party first, business of state second.

Posted by: Michelle | Mar 17, 2009 10:01:21 PM

Do'h, ABC News, you got the pronunciation of Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin incorrect! 'Micheál' is actually pronounced 'Me-hawl', not 'Me-hull.' (I've a brother with the name!)

Posted by: Siobhan | Mar 17, 2009 9:16:27 PM

"Presidents of Irish ancestry? Well, Kennedy and Reagan for sure."

Bill Clinton was quite popular in Ireland but I'm unsure of any Irish lineage.

Posted by: Ryan C | Mar 17, 2009 3:21:51 PM

Presidents of Irish ancestry? Well, Kennedy and Reagan for sure.

Posted by: William J. LePetomane | Mar 17, 2009 2:44:02 PM

I apologize Jo. I just realized that comment should have been directed to Tooth. Sorry!

Posted by: Afton Girl | Mar 17, 2009 2:42:39 PM

Jo: are you dense? It is St. Patrick's Day. His mother's ancestry is from Ireland, not his father.

Posted by: Afton Girl | Mar 17, 2009 2:41:46 PM

Niall, you are right, they mangled the opening paragraph. He welcomes Cowen, the PM (okay, Taoiseach), who brought along the other two guys of lower rank. Good to see the president use the formal Irish title-- guess he's brushing up on his diplomatic protocol. This was a much warmer and appropriate joint public appearance with an allied leader than Brown got last month.

Posted by: moderate | Mar 17, 2009 1:24:23 PM

tooth --

"Why does not PB0 talk more about his father's side? Ain't those Dreams he sold you from his father's side?"

The book was about growing up without his father. He was raised by his mother and her family. The cure for ignorance is facts, if you're open to them.

Posted by: Jo | Mar 17, 2009 1:12:33 PM

How many us Irish presidents has there been ,so far?

Posted by: Barbara Lee Wilkerson | Mar 17, 2009 1:09:14 PM

How many us Irish presidents has there been ,so far?

Posted by: Barbara Lee Wilkerson | Mar 17, 2009 1:09:13 PM

Hi, typo there. In the first paragraph I think you mean to say Obama welcomed Taoiseach Brian Cowen to the white house. Not the ambassador.

Posted by: Niall | Mar 17, 2009 12:50:42 PM

Move over Raila Odinga, there's a new cousin in town!

Posted by: Kim | Mar 17, 2009 12:46:57 PM

Obama is related to D Chenney.

Posted by: prince | Mar 17, 2009 12:32:47 PM

Why does not PB0 talk more about his father's side? Ain't those Dreams he sold you from his father's side?

Posted by: tooth | Mar 17, 2009 12:32:42 PM

God ... and I thought shrub said stupid things. This made me squirm .... was he trying to atone for his ham handed handling of the Browns?

Posted by: beebop | Mar 17, 2009 12:13:30 PM

We are all Irish today all 300 million Americans.

Shout out to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton too.

Go Obama, Collins, Hillary and the Irish :-D

Posted by: Yeil | Mar 17, 2009 12:07:18 PM

What about Obama's aunt that is still here illegally ripping off the American tax payer.

Posted by: henry 5th aveneue | Mar 17, 2009 12:06:31 PM

awwwwwww. . .

Posted by: vinman | Mar 17, 2009 11:54:10 AM

The day of the improbable Irish

I do not care what you call me just order me a beer

Posted by: Patty O' Furniture | Mar 17, 2009 11:47:56 AM

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