Obama thanks rector for making visit a success
THE Anglican rector who discovered US President Barack Obama's Irish ancestral records has received a thank you letter from the White House.
Canon Stephen Neill, who lives in Cloughjordan, Co Offaly, expressed delight at the letter thanking him for his help in making the Irish trip a hit.
The letter, on embossed White House notepaper, reads: "Michelle and I thank you for what you did to make our visit to Ireland a success. Your help was instrumental to our trip and is very much appreciated.
"Again, we are grateful for your gracious assistance and wish you all the best."
The note is signed "Barack Obama".
Meanwhile, Canon Neill's teenage son, Aaron, is recovering from keyhole surgery to remove a brain tumour.
Doctors were stunned at his bravery, as despite having a tumour that would have induced throbbing headaches and tiredness, he didn't complain until he became violently ill on holidays in Tenerife with his parents.
Aaron is due to undergo six weeks of radiotherapy in Crumlin Children's Hospital shortly.
Irish Independent
