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Hillary or Donald? The next US President to visit Éire is...?

Updated / Tuesday, 8 Nov 2016 11:14
In a matter of hours the world will know whether Hilary Clinton or Donald Trump will be the 45th President of the United States. While we wait, check out the visits of six previous American Presidents to Ireland.
In a matter of hours the world will know whether Hilary Clinton or Donald Trump will be the 45th President of the United States. While we wait, check out the visits of six previous American Presidents to Ireland.

Of the 44 American presidents to date, six have made official visits to Ireland and we wonder whether Donald Trump or Hilary Clinton will follow suit? Both are very familiar with our green isle - Hilary accompanying Bill on his official visits in addition to other trips. Donald, of course, is a regular visitor to his County Clare hotel in Doonbeg. No doubt, whoever the Americans elect, the new president will make an official visit during their term as both have strong links to Ireland.

As we await the election outcome, here you can see some wonderful footage of those presidential trips from the 1963 Cupán Tae with JFK to Richard Nixon's egging in 1970 to Ronald Reagan's knees up in 1984. There's the 'Ain't no party like a Clinton party' in 1995, the protests of Bush's visit in 2004 and finally the craic with Barack in 2011. Watch and enjoy all the clips below.

Cupán Tae for JFK

In June 1963 John F Kennedy became the first serving American president to visit Ireland when he came on a four-day trip which included a tea party with relatives in Dunganstown, Wexford.

Cupán tae with JFK
JFK's visit to Ireland in 1963


Big Disgrace when Richard Nixon ended up with Egg on his Face
The 1970 visit of Richard Nixon took place against the background of anti-Vietnam war demonstrations. He visited the Quaker burial ground where his mother’s ancestors were buried and then had a close encounter with an egg thrower on Lord Edward Street in Dublin.

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Knees Up for Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan visited his ancestral home of Ballyporeen in County Tipperary in 1984 where he was entertained by traditional Irish dancers.

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Ain't No Party Like a Clinton Party
In 1995 Bill and Hillary Clinton came to visit with a trip to the north and south of the island and included a walk about in College Green. President Clinton pulled a young boy from the crush and Hillary was asked if she has ‘any sisters knocking around’.  

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Protests for Bush's Visit
Shannon Airport was at the centre of unrest during George Bush’s visit to Ireland in 2004. He came for an EU-US summit but the visit was marked by a series of anti-war protests against the use of Shannon Airport as a transit stop for US troops.

Protests at US President George Bush's visit to Ireland
Protests in Ireland when Bush visited Ireland


Having the craic with Barack
The whole country was swept up with the frenzy of Barack Obama's visit in 2011 whether it was to hear his speech in College Green, Dublin or follow him when he headed to Moneygall in County Offaly, to visit the home of his great, great, great grandfather. He and Michelle took the time to sample some stout in Ollie Hayes’ pub.  

President Obama visited his ancestral home

President Obama visited his ancestral home

Who will be next, Hilary or Donald? We'll know in a few hours...if we don't already.

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