It was lovely to see, wasn't it? Ireland is a nation of educated people and they appreciate an educated man. Obama's connection to Chicago should not go overlooked, either, as Chicago is known as the Most Irish City in the USA.
For those who doubt Bush was greeted with less enthusiasm:
Irish Batten Down Hatches for Bush
US president's visit expected to provoke big demonstrations
by Angelique Chrisafis Friday, June 25, 2004
Every summer since the invention of the jet, Ireland has been invaded by Americans. The country of "a hundred thousand welcomes" regularly opens its arms to its transatlantic cousins, whose investment has fueled its economic boom.
But this weekend's visit by George Bush, the US president, has turned tradition on its head. Irish lawyers have signed a petition against Mr Bush and suggested he should be arrested as soon as he arrives. Clerics have questioned the president's morals and the leader of the Irish senate has boycotted a US embassy dinner to mark his visit. Anti-war protesters say they are being censored by a government desperate to keep a lid on demonstrations. The terrorism risk has resulted in the biggest security operation in the country's history.