SNIPPET: Per the Jan-Feb 2009 issue of Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine: "It's the question of all of County Offaly, and indeed most of Ireland, is asking. When will President Barack OBAMA visit the home of his Irish ancestors? The wheels are already in motion. Ireland's Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Brian COWEN, Offaly's leading son, didn't waste too much time after Senator OBAMA morphed into President-elect OBAMA. The invitation to visit Ireland was made in a pre-arranged phone call on November 18th. Mr. COWEN was in Thomond Park in Limerick at the time, having just formally opened the spanking new stadium there before watching Munster almost beat New Zealand's legendary All Blacks rugby team. President-elect OBAMA's third great-grandfather, Fulmouth KEARNEY and his family were members of the Church of Ireland in Moneygall, Co. Offaly - which happens to be in Mr. COWEN's Dail (parliament) constituency. Mr. KEARNEY, a shoemaker by trade, left Ireland in 1850 and settled in OH, where he took to farming. In 1960 his direct descendant, Ann DUNHAM, married a Kenyan student, Mr. OBAMA. Their son will be the 44th President of the United States. An Irish Government spokesperson said Mr. COWEN congratulated Mr. OBAMA on his election, and 'stressed the importance the Government attaches to Ireland's relationship with the United States.' The two men then talked about President-elect OBAMA's connections to Co. Offaly, and Mr. COWEN took the opportunity to update him on developments in Northern Ireland. In terms of Irish representation among the presidential and vice-presidential candidates in the U. S. election, we had all bets covered - all four of them have Irish roots!" Thoughts from Leitrim-born poetess Mary GUCKIAN, Dublin, who had attended a celebratory event in Ireland in honor of America's new President: President Obama - Your Dreams, Our Dreams Finished reading your book Dreams of My Father Born in America, African and Irish blood in your veins Part of your childhood lived in Indonesia, Your worldly background, Your Christianity, a gifted writer, your decision to work with the most vulnerable people in Chicago. Unselfishly, you studied law in the hope of helping to make the lives of these poor more bearable. Working your way to become American President in two thousand and nine, your intelligence flows, you draw us all together irrespective of colour, class or religion. Every person needs respect, a place to live, to grow, to study, health services, food. The environment need protection. We crave a better life, we need peace, yet cannot expect you to perform miracles, we must help you rid ourselves of racism. Protection for America's homeless, Education, more compassion for our "travellers," homes for displaced Africans. Equality for women in Muslim countries, dignity for people who have problems and commit crimes. Your leadership qualities will enoble us, help more countries become more democratic. I wish you safety, good health, strength to deal with sensitivities for the world that come across in your writing. So proud you share the blood of our ancestors, good luck to Michelle and your daughters. Your genes are our genes, your dreams, our dreams. Mary Guckian Dublin