BARACK OBAMA PLAZA is a national landmark.
It’s got everything. Food, petrol, a museum, a Supermac’s, and a bust of Obama.
In a profile of Barack Obama’s Irish heritage and cousin Henry Healy, New Yorker journalist Chris Colin took a visit to the village and our beloved plaza.
He said he almost went through Moneygall while he was looking for it, and described the area’s love of a good Obama souvenir.
No conceivable “O’Bama” souvenir went unrealized: placemats, teapots, hats, key chains, “Yes We Can” T-shirts written in Gaelic, “What’s the craic Barack?” coffee mugs. Brack, a kind of fruit loaf, became “Barack’s brack.”
Still amazed at this pun work, to be honest.
He went to Moneygall, but of course had to pay the Plaza a visit
You arrive at the gleaming, glassy Barack Obama Plaza, rising in thrilling disharmony from the cows and hills and green.
Inside, diners can find proper Irish meals, in addition to fast food, and a spacious dining room with actual silverware.
Down the hall, an extensive visitors center showcases all things Obama-plus-Moneygall. There’s an exhibit on other famous locals, a bust of Obama, a giant photo of Healy shaking the President’s hand.
Yes, we know, sounds idyllic.
He mentions that Henry Healy got himself a gig as manager of the rest stop, with great admiration.
When a child got sick near the Papa John’s, I watched him approach with statesmanlike purpose.
Healy was clearly the highlight of the profile, and had the most Irish description of the man himself having met him 10 times.
Recalling this and other evidence of Obama’s character, Hayes turned solemn. “A sound man,” he said.
Ah Barack Obama Plaza, we knew you’d be a star some day.
