AARON MCGAHON
On Monday May 23rd, American President Barrack Obama was welcomed by many well known Irish artists and celebrities, including Brendan Gleeson, Stephen Rea, Ryan Tubridy, Gabriel Byrne, The Sawdoctors, who performed N17, the Coronas and Jedward, who performed their song 'Lipstick'.
Ryan Tubridy invited the artists on stage, many of whom performed or made speeches. Stephen Rea read the poem 'I am of Ireland' by W.B Yeats and dedicated it to "those who have emmigrated recently or in bygone days". Gabriel Byrne told of the importance of the Irish people in the world "We have given the world so much... The people that we have sent out into the world have changed the history and the art of the world." Brendan Gleeson gave a rousing speech, filled with passion "It's time to stand up! Breathe the air! Look around! What people! What friends we have. I'm bloody sure we can!" and spoke of O'Connell and Douglas, two great emancipators from Ireland and America respectively.
If their was one message that was sent to the world that day, it was that of Ireland's strength, its tenacity and its power.
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