Obamas' arrive in Ireland

Dublin (Ireland), May 23 (ANI): US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama arrived in Ireland today on a whistle stop visit.

Air Force One landed amid tight security and wet, blustery conditions at Dublin Airport just after 9.30 a.m. local time.

Ireland's deputy Prime Minister Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore and his wife Carol Hanney, and US ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney received the Obamas', the Telegraph reports.

President Obama then called on President Mary McAleese at her residence in the Phoenix Park, Aras an Uachtarain, before holding 45 minutes of talks with Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

The President also traveled to his ancestral home in Moneygall, County Offaly, ahead of a public concert later in Dublin. His great-great-great-great-grandfather was a shoemaker in Moneygall and his son, Falmouth Kearney, left for New York in 1850.

Obama will speak to the Dublin city centre audience at around tea time following entertainment involving many well-known Irish artists as part of his 24-hour visit to the Republic.

The US President will then fly to the UK for a three-day state visit.

Security is expected to be tight today. Access will not be restricted to the free concert and presidential address on College Green but those attending will be screened and gates will open at 2 p.m.

Obama, who has Irish, Kenyan and American roots, is expected to highlight the strong ties between Ireland and the US during his visit.

Almost 37 million people in the US claim Irish heritage, most dominantly in cities such as Boston, New York and the President's political power base in Chicago.

President Obama is the sixth President to visit Ireland. The first was John F Kennedy in 1963.

The US is Ireland's largest trading partner and the country's investment has created more than 89,000 jobs.

The President will fly out of Dublin tomorrow. (ANI)