Obama visits family roots in Ireland

DUBLIN - President Barack Obama declared solidarity between the United States and economically struggling Ireland with a symbolic gulp of beer and a rousing speech, telling a huge Dublin crowd on Monday: "Your best days are still ahead."

Manila Bulletin- Beginning a four-nation European tour with a celebration of his Irish roots, Obama came to Ireland as what one man called a long-lost cousin.                                                                  
                                                                                 
Crowds packed the streets for both a stirring speech in Dublin and a visit to the tiny village of Moneygall, where an ancestor of Obama's lived before moving to the United States.

Introduced by Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny as "the American dream come home," Obama told the throng in central Dublin: "My name is Barack Obama, of the Moneygall Obamas."

For Ireland, Obama's arrival, and the visit of Britain's Queen Elizabeth last week, are a welcome distraction from the global attention paid to its financial woes and the ensuing international bailout.

Obama was also due to visit Britain, France, and Poland on a week-long trip whose agenda includes talks on issues as Afghanistan and Pakistan after the killing of Osama bin Laden, the world economy and the "Arab spring" uprisings.