All About Moneygall

Moneygall is a quaint little Irish town located in County Offalay. Although it only has about 298 inhabitants according to a 2006 census, it has gotten enormous media coverage lately due to the recent visit of American President Barack Obama. Locals and distant relatives warmly welcomed President Obama.

On May 23, 2011 over 5,000 anxious people from Moneygall and its surrounding areas gave an ecstatic welcome to President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Among the vibrant crowd were long lost distant cousins of President Obama. Falmouth Kearney was the President's great-great-great grandfather and was originally from Moneygall itself. Kearney immigrated to New York City in 1850, when he was 19 years of age.

President Obama spent a little longer than he normally does in meeting and greeting as many people as possible before taking a tour of Main Street in Moneygall. He then briefly entered a house that has been built on a plot of land where his ancestor, Falmouth Kearney, had once lived.

What would a trip to Ireland be like without visiting a world famous Irish pub? Ollie Hayes' Bar was the perfect spot for President Obama and his wife to kick back with their newfound family and enjoy a stout. Mrs. Obama was eager to learn the proper way to pour a pint of stout, and she was welcomed to come behind the bar to try it out. The President decided on a traditional Guinness, and knew enough to let it sit a minute before drinking it. He still asked for help from a local to know exactly how long to let it settle before enjoying his delicious Irish brew. Surely it was a visit that neither the President nor the residents of Moneygall will forget.

About Moneygall

Moneygall is located between the larger cities of Dublin and Limerick. It's large enough to claim two pubs, it's own post office and around five shops. Visitors to Moneygall can feel safe as it does have a Garda Station, which is essentially a police station appointed by the Irish government. The village also boasts of a local Roman Catholic school. Local young ones who seek secondary education normally travel to Roscrea or Nenagh. These are nearby villages, which are a little bit larger.

For churchgoers, a Church of Ireland church is located in Borrisnafarney, which is just about 2 km from Moneygall.

For visitors who are traveling by bus, a regular bus route that runs from Dublin and Limerick passes through Moneygall on the hour. This line is called Bus Éireann.

Gaelic Athletic Association

Moneygall does advantageously have a Gaelic Athletic Association playing field located just across the county line in County Tipperary. A few select athletes from Moneygall have the chance to participate in the Tipperary Hurling championship in which they compete against Tipperary Senior Hurling clubs they county over. The Tipperary Hurling club with the greatest talent will represent their county in the Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship. If they succeed there, they'll have the rare and privileged opportunity to play in the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship.

For more information on Moneygall, Ireland, visit http://moneygall.co.

 

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