Artist to gift Obama paintings

Lahinch-based artist Michael Hanrahan has been requested to sketch two paintings of President Barack Obama’s historic visit to Ireland last May.
The United States-Ireland Alliance asked Mr Hanrahan, who works full-time as an artist mainly in oils and acrylics, to complete the paintings, having seen his work commemorating Queen Elizabeth’s May visit to Ireland.
The first painting, of President Obama addressing thousands of people at College Green in Dublin, will be a gift to President Obama and his wife.
The second painting, of the president at his ancestral home in Moneygall, County Offaly, will be given to the US-Ireland Alliance to sell for the benefit of the non-profit organisation’s George J Mitchell Scholarship program.
The Lahinch artist received a great deal of attention for his paintings of Queen Elizabeth’s May visit to Ireland. He ­visited London in August to personally deliver to ­Buckingham Palace his painting, which commemorated a ­wreath-laying ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin.  The painting now forms part of the British Royal Collection. 
In October, Mr Hanrahan visited President Mary McAleese to present her with a painting of her greeting Queen Elizabeth.  That painting now hangs in Áras an Uachtarain.
US-Ireland Alliance president Trina Vargo, who worked as Senator Ted Kennedy’s security advisor for many years, said the Alliance is honoured by Mr Hanrahan’s gift: 
“It’s very generous of Michael to allow this painting to benefit our non-profit organisation. 
“We hope the interest in his work will result in a good price, the proceeds of which will go to the endowment for the Mitchell Scholarship programme.
“As this will be one of only two paintings of the Obama visit, we hope that will further increase the interest in the painting of the historic occasion,” she said.
Speaking to The Clare Champion, Michael admitted he felt very fortunate and was humbled by the recent attention his work had gained.
“I am delighted that one of my paintings will contribute to a scholarship named in honour of Senator Mitchell’s great contribution to the island of Ireland. 
“Like everyone in Ireland, I welcomed the visit of President and Mrs Obama to Ireland,” he said.
Ms Vargo advised the 2008 Obama presidential campaign on Irish issues. She visited Moneygall in May 2007 after the candidate’s Irish ancestry was revealed. 
At the time, Senator Obama was one of several Democratic candidates in the race. 
“When I stopped in Moneygall in 2007, looking for the church where then-Senator Obama’s ancestors were baptised, the locals didn’t know who Obama was. 
“Obviously they do now, and we’re delighted to be given a painting commemorating his visit there,” she said.