Irish Eyes (and the Rest of the World's) Are Smiling When American Waters Flow Green

For a few precious moments, POTUS put jumpstarting America's economy aside, taking time to celebrate everything Irish in and out of his new home town.

First Lady Michelle Obama gave Washington a little taste of Chicago on St. Patrick's Day, dying the water green in the White House Fountains. (I presume this is eco-friendly dye.)

CNN shares the Washington green house view:

Dyeing the Chicago River Green on St. Patrick's Day

For a look at exactly how Chicago dyes its main river green, take a look:

POTUS began the day with another announcement about his now-legendary Irish ancestry.

Welcoming Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen to the Oval Office, President Obama announced that "they may be cousins", distant ones for certain.

ABC News reports: "My mother's family can be traced back to Ireland," President Obama said, "and it turns out that our first Irish ancestor came from the same county that Taoiseach once represented. So we may be cousins. We haven't sorted that through yet. But even if blood we're not related by culture and affinity...by friendship we are certainly related." (Note: 'Taoiseach' refers to the Irish Prime Minister.)

Not to be outdone, Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen arrived in Washington, bearing baptismal documents tracing Obama's ancestral roots on his mother's side to Moneygall, in Count Offally, where Obama's great-great-great grandfather, Fulmouth Kearney, grew up.

Irish smiles were shining all over Washington today, as POTUS named long-time Republican, but now Obama-supporter Pittsburgh Steelers owner, Dan Rooney as ambassador to Ireland.

As to the whereabouts of our dear FOTUS on this day celebrating the special relationship between America and Ireland, Huff Po reports that the First Lady arrived at the National Mall ready to assist more than 100 low-income youth from across the country and several members of Congress in constructing a YouthBuildUSA "green" house for a struggling Texas family.

The First Lady praised YouthBuild for providing its students with valuable skills – giving them “a second, third and fourth chance.”

Via Spotlight on Poverty's website (via Huff Po): Michelle Obama’s appearance today is another important indication of the President’s commitment to national service and building a sustainable economy that invests in vulnerable youth and families. To be sure, the First Lady has her own public policy issues to highlight and her own platform to stand on. But her remarks offered another glimpse at the direction the new Administration expects to take this critical issue.

Tonight the Obamas celebrate Ireland at two events. We have no word on whether or not there will be a repeat performance of the Governor's Ball congo lines. Alas, I am not Irish but still a true American mutt: Swedish, Danish, English and German.

As for Dublin, well, I adore it.  Anne

For a quick video trip (two actually) to Ireland, visit the Anne of Carversville Nature Channel.