By Evoke Staff
Copyright evoke
It’s been a great summer for celeb visits to Ireland and the next familiar faces preparing to pay us a visit are none other than former US President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle.
Barack is set to speak with Fintan O’Toole at a sold-out show in the 3 Arena next Friday night, with it thought that his wife Michelle will be there to support him.
Although it’s not clear how long the Obamas will stay in Ireland after the engagement, it’s understood that they’ll be staying at one of Dublin’s best hotels during their visit.
According to the Irish Daily Mail, the Obamas will be calling the five-star Shelbourne Hotel home for their trip and next weekend is sure to be a busy one for the venue.
The luxury hotel is apparently also hosting the American football team the Minnesota Vikings, who are playing in Ireland’s first NFL game at Croke Park on September 28, over the same time period.
The Mail understands that the Secret Service has asked to have a full floor in the Shelbourne but this request has proven difficult to grant due to the number of rooms booked by the American football team.
‘It’s a standoff alright. The Vikings are not for turning,’ a source said. The stand-off is particularly surprising given the owners of the team are believed to be Democratic Party supporters.
The hotel did not respond to the Mail when asked if a solution had been found to the Secret Service request.
Obama’s appearance in Dublin on Friday will see the 44th US president engage in a discussion touching on his own time in leadership and the future for the United States.
His Irish ancestral roots trace back to Moneygall, Co. Offaly, on his mother’s side as his third great-grandfather, Fulmoth Kearney, emigrated to the US in 1850 at the age of 19.
Ahead of his Irish appearance, Obama will be interviewed in London by TV historian David Olusoga on Wednesday, September 24, at The O2 Arena.
