Obama wants to give morale to the Irish

The US President has visited Monday casual in Dublin.

Less than a week after the historic Queen of England's visit, the Irish have allowed another invited guest of mark: the President of the United States. Two visitors are global stars able to draw crowds, but a few days the styles of the two movements were could not be more different. The English monarch took part in rich symbols but very formal ceremonies and without any crowd, marking bath with restraint reconciliation between two countries marked by struggles for independence.

Barack Obama was instead very relaxed and smiling, seeming to enjoy a safe diplomatic move before a busy week with his state visit to Britain and visiting France for the G8 in Deauville. Very relaxed, Bush exchanged jokes with the Prime Minister of Ireland, Enda Kenny, went public in contact many times and went to drink a pint of Guinness with Moneygall residents, the village of his ancestor in the center of the island.

"It warms the heart to be here," exclaimed the president, picked up by a strong wind to his leaving the aircraft, together with his wife, Michelle. Before I ask jokingly if something had been planned by the organizers to bring the sun.

Despite this very Irish weather sunny and hesitating between downpours, he drew on Monday night in Dublin city center a crowd of more than 25 000 people who waited with music played by Irish groups waiting for a big speech, Delivered in open air in front of the steps of the Bank of Ireland. "I'm Barack Obama, an Obama Moneygall," the U.S. president began with a big smile. In 1995, Bill Clinton chose the same place to make a long speech praising the friendship between the two countries.

Success of the peace process
Citing the success of the royal visit the previous week, Barack Obama has shown an example of a successful peace process in Northern Ireland. This reconciliation "sends a signal not only in Ireland or England, but worldwide," said the U.S. president after his meeting with Irish Prime Minister. The end of conflict in Ulster and the signing of the Good Friday peace in Belfast in 1998 were notably made possible by the personal involvement of President Bill Clinton. Obama also reiterated that the friendship and the ties between "the United States and Ireland could not be stronger," thanks to the links maintained by the millions of Americans from Irish immigrants.

Because of the severe crisis in the Republic of Ireland, Prime Minister Enda Kenny, has instead emphasized economic issues discussed with the Head of State U.S., citing "the situation of banks, unemployment, and conditions of the bailout of the European Union and the IMF "and thanking America's support on these topics.

Very difficult
Since the collapse of a strong housing bubble in 2007, the former "Celtic Tiger" is in a very difficult situation, with the introduction of a very severe austerity plan aimed at reducing a deficit exceeding 10% of GDP and unemployment rising rapidly. The signs of crisis are very visible in Dublin, with many young beggars and busy shops closed by boards in most streets.

Many Irish are hoping that the heavy media coverage that accompanied the visit of Queen and Barack Obama will make a great advertisement for their country and give a boost to tourism. That may be the message wanted to convey the prime minister, Enda Kenny, saying that Obama's visit was "incomplete" and that when he returned to Ireland, "he will take his golf clubs."

VIDEO - A packed crowd rushing to Obama's speech: