It was reported today that president Obama may visit Kilkenny during his official visit to Ireland in May 2011. On behalf of Kilkenny City the Keep kilkenny Beautiful Committee look forward to extending a warm welcome to President Obama.

Work is already underway in preparing Kilkenny for the 2011 National tidy Towns Competition. In 2010 kilkenny achieved a gold medal and was also awarded the title of Best large urban centre in the country.

A tomb in the historic St Canice’s Cathedral has the remains of Bishop John Kearney (c.1742–1813), who was Mr Obama’s great-great-great-granduncle. He became provost of Trinity College Dublin in 1799 and was bishop of Ossory 1806-1813. His home in Kilkenny was the historic Bishops palace which is located adjacent to the cathedral and still in use to day by the Heritage council.