STATE VISIT

Obama Meets Irish Leader

Says U.S. and Ireland have a “blood lineage.”

President Obama has made the first stop on his weeklong European tour, setting down at Dublin airport Monday morning and travelling to Farmleigh for a meeting with Taoiseach (similar to Prime Minister) Enda Kenny. The two leaders discussed Ireland’s economic troubles, and Obama said he wanted to help strengthen the bonds of trade between the two countries and do everything he could to help Ireland on the path to recovery. “It's not just a matter of foreign policy,” said Obama, “for the United States and Ireland carries a blood lineage.” Obama later visit Moneygall, the tiny Irish town that was home to his great-great-great grandfather, where he enjoyed 75 percent of a pint of Guinness at a local pub. Through phone calls and briefings, Obama is monitoring the Joplin tornado from abroad.