Bono to help VP Biden find his roots

 

 

U2 frontman Bono has told of how he wants to bring US Vice President Joe Biden to his local Dalkey pub to help him trace his Irish roots.

 

Recent research has shown that 19 American presidents, nearly half of the 44 men who have sat in the Oval Office, can trace roots back to Ireland.

 

JFK is the most famous Irish-American president, but Barack Obama, Ronald Reagan and Woodrow Wilson can all lay claims to Irish heritage.

 

Former US president Bill Clinton, who served two terms in the US, even recently revealed that he would be eligible to run for president here due to his Irish heritage.

 

"There are only two countries that I'm eligible to run for the leaderships position. If I moved to Ireland and buy a house I can run for president of Ireland because of my Irish heritage," said the former Commander in Chief president, who is due to touch down in Limerick this weekend to be the guest of honour of businessman JP McManus' annual All Ireland Scholarship awards ceremony.

 

When asked how he managed to get Bill Clinton to Limerick again, JP McManus said it was done with "difficulty".

 

"He (Clinton) had a lot to do with the peace process in Ireland. So I thought he was the ideal man to get," McManus said.

 

It was reported yesterday that Mr Clinton will be paid $250,000 (€195,000) by Mr McManus for his speech. However, a spokeswoman for McManus said they were making "absolutely no comment" on the story.

 

Now, thanks to Bono, Joe Biden has been added to the list of US politicians with Celtic blood. The rock star revealed that he wants to introduce Barack Obama's right-hand man to his local publican because they share the same surname.

 

"He's a Finnegan. His mother was a Finnegan, which is the name of my local pub, so I have to introduce him to my local publican," he said.

 

It is thought that the Bidens' roots originate in Co Louth. Bono was speaking at the The Hero Summit in Washington when he issued his invite. It's been a busy week of travel for the singer.

 

Following his appearance in the US, Bono joined his wife Ali Hewson in Rome.

 

The pair attended the third day of the 2012 International Herald Tribune's Luxury Business Conference.

 

They joined 500 delegates from the fashion and business worlds, and teamed up with Diesel founder Renzo Rosso for the 12th year of the event.

 

Irish Independent

Edited November 17, 201212 yr by Sydney

Most US politicians seem to have Irish roots. Especially just before election time....