The Day Barack Obama shook my Hand (May-2011)
I arrived in town and started queuing at 12, went through security checks and searches. Food, drinks and bags were not allowed.
When we got through, I started to make my way to the front, trying to have the best view I could get, and I made it to the front about 4.30. It was all very exciting; I soaked up the atmosphere and enjoyed the speeches with no clue about the major event about to unfold in my life.
When Barak Obama came down from the stage to shake hands, we couldn't believe it! Nor could his security people, for whom it was a nightmare! First of all, he came over near me and he was shaking hands with everyone around me, and I signed the International "I love you". He signed "I love you" back, then blew me a kiss.
He was signing autographs for people around me, so I looked in my pockets for some paper, and all I could find was a train ticket, so I asked him to sign it. He had his own pen.
Just as he moved on, Michelle Obama came over, and I signed the same "I love you" to her. She was trying to sign it back to me, but couldn't quite manage it, so she grabbed my wrist and gave it a huge hug!
After Obama left, I saw a TV reporter from RTE interviewing someone, so I went over and told them that I had Obama's signature. She asked to interview me, asking me about the autograph and getting me to hold it up for the cameras. This clip was shown on the Evening News.
Her final question was "How was Obama", and my reply was "He was lovely, really lovely". It was all I could say.
It was the most exciting day of my life!
