Updated 19.50

US PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA and the first lady Michelle Obama are halfway through their 24-hour visit to Ireland.

So far this morning they have touched down in Dublin Airport; been carried by helicopter to the Phoenix Park; visited President Mary McAleese in Áras an Uachtaráin; planted an Irish Oak in the grounds of the president’s residence; and chatted with the Taoiseach in Farmleigh House.

Phew. We hope they have somewhere relaxing booked for lunch…

In photos: Obama’s visit to Ireland

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Landing in Dublin Airport
Barrack Obama and his wife Michelle land in Dublin Airport on Air Force One at the start of his visit to Ireland. Picture by: Julien Behal/PA Wire/Press Association Images
The wind picks up...
U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are greeted by Eamon Gilmore as they step off Air Force One as they arrive in Dublin. Picture by: Charles Dharapak/AP/Press Association Images
Michelle, we feel your pain
US first lady Michelle Obama's hair is disheveled by the wind as she and President Barack Obama are greeted by dignitaries. Women across Ireland murmur in sympathy... Picture by: Matt Dunham/AP/Press Association Images
Two presidents meet
President Barack Obama is greeted by the President of Ireland Mary McAleese and her husband Martin McAleese at Áras an Uachtaráin. Picture by: Carolyn Kaster/AP/Press Association Images
At the Áras
From left, US Ambassador Daniel M. Rooney and his wife Patricia Rooney, President Barack Obama, President of Ireland Mary McAleese and her husband Martin McAleese, and first lady Michelle Obama. Picture by: Carolyn Kaster/AP/Press Association Images
Travelling in style
The presidential limousine is parked outside the Áras as US President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama meet with Ireland's President Mary McAleese and husband Martin McAleese. Picture by: Charles Dharapak/AP/Press Association Images
Tree planting ceremony
Obama meets with the head gardener at the Áras before planting an Irish Oak in the grounds of the Phoenix Park. In the background, three children ring the Peace Bell. Picture by: Charles Dharapak/AP/Press Association Images
Tour of Farmleigh
First Lady Michelle Obama with Fionnuala Kenny view an embroidered panel depicting the Norman Invasion during a tour of Farmleigh House. Picture by: Maxwells/PA Wire/Press Association Images
The Obamas meet with Irish schoolchildren
President and Michelle Obama meet with the children who rang the Peace Bell: (L-R) Onyedika Ukachukwu, Colm Dunne and Margaret McDonagh. Picture by: Charles Dharapak/AP/Press Association Images
Farmleigh House
President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama,Taoiseach Enda Kenny, and Fionnuala Kenny. Picture by: Carolyn Kaster/AP/Press Association Images
The Taoiseach meets the US President
Obama is greeted by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and his wife Fionnuala Kenny at Farmleigh House in Dublin. Picture by: Carolyn Kaster/AP/Press Association Images
Greetings
The Obamas are greeted by the Kennys at Farmleigh House. Picture by: Carolyn Kaster/AP/Press Association Images
Obama and Kenny
US President Barack Obama with Taoiseach Enda Kenny in Farmleigh, Dublin, where the two held talks. Picture by: Maxwells/PA Wire/Press Association Images
Michelle and Fionnuala
Michelle Obama speaks with Fionnuala Kenny in the gardens of Farmleigh. Picture by: Maxwells/PA Wire/Press Association Images
Obama was 'ere
President Obama and Michelle Obama sign the visitors' book in Áras an Uachtaráin. Picture by: Peter Morrison/AP/Press Association Images
Signatures
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama's signatures in the visitors book at Áras an Uachtaráin. Picture by: Niall Carson/PA Wire/Press Association Images
Kenny gives Obama a lesson in hurling
The Taoiseach gives the US President a few pointers... Picture by: Carolyn Kaster/AP/Press Association Images
Getting to grips with it...
He's a natural, our O'Bama. Picture by: Maxwells/PA Wire/Press Association Images
Whoa! Bit too close there...
Enda looks a tad more nervous in this snap. Picture by: Maxwells/PA Wire/Press Association Images
Don't mess with O'Bama
Things looked a bit hairy for a minute... but settled down before a full-blown diplomatic incident occurred. Picture by: Maxwells/PA Wire/Press Association Images
Homeward Bound
Thousands queue up at the Nenagh-side entrance to Moneygall where Obama is due to spend some time later this afternoon. (Thanks to the reader who sent this in.)
Toasting his forefathers
In Ollie Hayes's pub in Moneygall, Co Offaly, the village his great-great-great grandfather hailed from. (Pic: Maxwells)
Going...
In Hayes's bar in Moneygall, Co Offaly. (Pic: Maxwells)
...Going...
In Hayes's bar in Moneygall, Co Offaly. (Pic: Maxwells)
...almost gone.
In Hayes's bar in Moneygall, Co Offaly. (Pic: Maxwells)
Meeting the locals in Moneygall
Barack and Michelle Obama took time out to meet the locals from his great-great-great grandfather Falmouth Kearney's native town of Monygall in Co Offaly. (Pic: Maxwells)
Meet-and-greet
US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle greet well wishers in Moneygall, Co Offaly. (Pic: Maxwells)
The sun breaks through...
The Obamas stayed out hugging and shaking hands on the streets of Moneygall, even as squally showers alternated with bursts of sunshine. (Pic: Maxwells)
Queueing for Obama's public address
Huge queues have been forming in Dublin city centre ahead of Obama's public address this evening. Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
In the words of Abraham Lincoln...
Actor Daniel Day-Lewis welcomed the US President with a quote from Lincoln about democracy and slavery. (Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire)
Obama takes to the stage
Barak Obama addresses the crowd in Dublin as Taoseach Enda Kenny looks on. (Pic: Leon Farrell/Photocall)
High five!
Obama greets the crowd gathered at College Green after making his speech. (Niall Carson/PA Wire/PA Images)
Hullooo Dublin!
Barack waves to the crowds on a final walkabout at College Green. (Pic: Stephen Kilkenny)
Yes, this is Barack
Obama speaks to the mother of a spectator by phone. (Pic: Stephen Kilkenny)
Rock on
US President Barack Obama gestures to the crowd at College Green, Dublin as Taoiseach Enda Kenny looks on (Pic: Stephen Kilkenny)
Dame Street carnage
Rubbish and discarded items which were prohibited from the security zone around College Green. (Pic: Laura Hutton/Photocall)

Read: Obama speaks in Dublin: “Never has a nation so small inspired so much in another” >

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In photos: Obama’s visit to Ireland

Landing in Dublin Airport

The wind picks up...

Michelle, we feel your pain

Two presidents meet

At the Áras

Travelling in style

Tree planting ceremony

Tour of Farmleigh

The Obamas meet with Irish schoolchildren

Farmleigh House

The Taoiseach meets the US President

Greetings

Obama and Kenny

Michelle and Fionnuala

Obama was 'ere

Signatures

Kenny gives Obama a lesson in hurling

Getting to grips with it...

Whoa! Bit too close there...

Don't mess with O'Bama

Homeward Bound

Toasting his forefathers

Going...

...Going...

...almost gone.

Meeting the locals in Moneygall

Meet-and-greet

The sun breaks through...

Queueing for Obama's public address

In the words of Abraham Lincoln...

Obama takes to the stage

High five!

Hullooo Dublin!

Yes, this is Barack

Rock on

Dame Street carnage

#PotusIE: What Twitter is making of Obama’s visit >

Read: Obama speaks in Dublin: “Never has a nation so small inspired so much in another” >

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.