Hopes have been expressed that the worldwide attention on West Clare thanks to the visits of the President and Vice President of the United States will lead to increased investment there.
Mike Pence departed from Shannon Airport today, bringing an end to his visit to Ireland and to his ancestral home of Doonbeg, where he met and chatted with waiting locals last night.
It’s nearly 40 years since US Vice President Mike Pence first visited Doonbeg, where his maternal great-grandmother grew up, but last night he outlined how memories of that visit are still strong.
It was a much more high profile trip this time around, with a large Secret Service presence when the Pence family arrived last night.
Before having dinner with their distant cousin Hugh McNally, who runs Morrissey’s Pub in Doonbeg, they delighted the small crowd who had gathered by coming over to chat.
Among those braving the rain to catch a glimpse of the guests of honour during the protest-free visit was Anne Marie Lucey from Cork and her 9-year-old son Riain.
This marks the second time in recent months that worldwide attention was on Doonbeg, after President Donald Trump and his family stayed at their luxury golf resort on their Irish visit.
Kilmurry McMahon man Paul Markham was there then, donning a top hat with both the US and Irish colours on it, which he proudly wore again for the Pences last night.
He was delighted to have had the opportunity to speak to the Vice President.
Now that the Vice Presidential family has left, it’s hoped that this second high-profile visit of the year will ensure a welcome boost in visitor numbers to the village.
Local publican Tommy Comerford, who is involved with the Doonbeg Development Association, says it’s time to up investment into the area to market it to the world.
