Obama to address crowds at Croke Park?

[Eamonnca1]

President Obama invite for Croke Park rally is confirmed
80,000 expected at Dublin venue to hear US president

By CATHAL DERVAN , IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Monday, April 11, 2011, 7:04 AM

President Barack Obama has been invited to speak at Croke Park during his visit to Ireland next month.

GAA sources have confirmed that Croke Park is the likely venue for a major public address by the US President on May 23rd.

Washington sources had told Irish Central that the venue was favored because of security considerations over a street venue in central Dublin.

The story was first revealed by Irish Central last week and has been confirmed by the Irish Times in their Monday edition and in the Sunday Business Post.

The paper of record reports that Croke Park is: "Being considered as a venue for a rally when President Barack Obama visits Ireland next month."

A top Croke Park source confirmed to the Irish Times that the GAA headquarters is being looked at as a venue ahead of a decision on Obama's full itinerary for his first visit to Ireland.

The Dublin venue is available that weekend as the National League will have concluded and the championship schedule doesn't begin until June at the stadium.

American Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney is to hold a number of meetings to finalise the Presidential itinerary this week.

Rooney will visit Obama's ancestral homeland at Moneygall in County Offaly when he will hold talks with Offaly County Manager Pat Gallagher.

The Ambassador, a Croke Park patron in the past, will also discuss the likely  rally at the GAA ground with officials.

[Hardy]

A Uachtaráin, a Uachtaráin Chumann Luthchleas Gael, a chairde, tá an-áthas orm ...

[laoisgaa]

I only live five minutes walk away - I can invite him in for tea - only right that he goes there too when the Queen is coming. Would have been unfair to ask her to Jones Road and not Obama!

[ziggysego]

http://youtu.be/c7MmDomfnSI

[Jinxy]

Apparently a few experienced maors have been seconded to the secret service team to explain the intricacies of Plan B.

[laoisgaa]

You stole that from my Facebook Ziggy!

[muppet]

Is Croke Park the only achievement that we can show off?

Maybe Obama can give a speech in the Port Tunnel instead.

[Bogball XV]

Is Croke Park the only achievement that we can show off?

Maybe Obama can give a speech in the Port Tunnel instead.

he's a big man, with the height problems in the tunnel he wouldn't be able to stand up straight.  I reckon the Guinness storehouse probably ruled itself out of the running with much of its promotional literature.

[Lar Naparka]

Arrah, count yer blessings that he's not a bishop or we'd all have to kneel down and kiss his ring.

WE only have to do that any more when it's Sarcozy or Merkel that's coming to visit us.