US President Barack Obama's ancestral home in Moneygall, Co Offaly, will open to the public in the coming weeks.
The house on the Main Street in Moneygall was toured by President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama during their historic visit in May, 2011.
President Obama's eighth cousin, Henry Healy was delighted by the development. "It is an integral part of the visit to Moneygall," he remarked.
According to Mr Healy, President Obama was "emotional" on visiting the house. "I was fortunate enough to be in there with him and he stamped his foot on the ground and said, 'this is where my ancestors lived,'" the President's cousin recalled.
With the assistance of Offaly County Council, Moneygall Development Association intends to return the property to the exact condition it was in when visited by the US President.
Moneygall Development Association signed a 12-month lease with the property's owner on Saturday afternoon. "In the next week or two I suppose, we will be opening the house to the public," Mr Healy revealed.
The development association has decided to open the property
free-of-charge, although a contribution box will be available for donations.
