A Kilkenny boy was offered the opportunity of a lifetime when he was invited to ring the peace bell during a tree-planting ceremony carried out by President Barack Obama at Aras an Uachtarain.
Colm Dunne from Gowran in county Kilkenny was delighted when he heard from his mother that he had personally been invited to Aras an Uachtarain on Monday last where President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama met with President Mary McAleese during their whistlestop trip to Ireland.
While there President Obama was asked to plant a tree in memory of his visit.
Nine-year-old Colm who is a third class pupil in Scoil Bhride in Paulstown in county Kilkenny was one of three children who were invited to meet with the two Presidents. But not only that, they were also given the honour of ringing the peace bell which has only ever been rung on two other occasions — the last time being during the Queen’s tree planting ceremony last week.
The invitation was extended to Colm through the National Council of the Blind. On Thursday last week Colm’s mother Eileen received a phone call wondering if Colm would be available to come and meet the prestigious guest and of course he was thrilled. It had been Colm’s wish to the Make A Wish Foundation that he would meet the President, and his wish was duly granted.
His Dad was present with him for the occasion as only one other person could accompany him to the ceremony, but his brother and mother and many other relatives and friends watched the ceremony on television as it happened.
Colm’s school-mates were all treated to a first-hand account of his experience later that afternoon when he returned to recall his visit with not one but two Presidents.
