Bush expected to be in Shannon in early June

signals getting stronger that visit will happen.

Dec 9, 2003.
The Taoiseach has told the Dáil there is no certainty George W Bush will visit Ireland next year during Ireland's EU presidency.

Dec 19. (Irish Examiner)
Ahern says Bush visit possible late next year


January 7 2004. (Examiner again)
US President George W Bush is set for a Shannon
stopover when he is expected to visit Ireland in June for the EU-US summit.

So, it looks a bit more confirmed that Dubya will be coming to Ireland and that Air Force One will be soiling the tarmac at Shannon Airport amid tight(er) security.

The Examiner says that the American's have ruled out a visit to Dublin (booing crowds too large?) and that the summit would be held in the region of the airport.

If Bush does land at Shannon it's likely that the whole place will be shut down for the duration and that the Great Southern Hotel next to the terminal will be chock-a-block with security and aides.

Don't expect Bush to come to Limerick -unlike Clinton who had a big public photo op on O'Connell Street between the Bank of Ireland and Supermac's!

And of course, in case we needed a reminder, there was a US Air Force C20 at the airport this morning, with a Garda vehicle, 2 Irish army landrovers and an Airport Police van parked next to it.

The aircraft was marked, had the VIP livery and the reg was 70140. It has been sighted at the airport previously.