Access all areas: Navan men's key role in Obama motorcade

'A heartbeat away from the presidency' - it may be a well hackneyed phrase but for two Meath men it might be applied literally because they were both within reaching distance of President Obama during his recent visit to Ireland. Tony O'Reilly from Donaghmore Lane, Navan, and Neil O'Sullivan from Walterstown, Navan, both had roles in the run-up to and during the visit to Ireland of the US President and his wife, Michelle, and have been left with great memories of the exciting days that had the whole of Ireland agog. Tony was personal driver to the White House medical officer (the President always has his doctor accompanying him on foreign trips) while Neil was driver of the vehicle which took the personal wardrobes of the President and First Lady from Dublin Airport to the Merrion Hotel where they had been booked to stay. So, how did both men land prestigious jobs like this? Although Tony's O'Reilly Coach Hire website says "our drivers are smart, conscientious professionals, ambassadors of our company", the story is simpler than that. Tony worked in the construction industry and, when the slowdown arrived, he changed livelihoods. He bought a luxury coach from a man who had often been contracted by the Department of Foreign Affairs for special occasions. When arrangements were being made for the Obama visit, Tony got a call from the Department and his big moment started from there. Before the visit, he had to go to the Burlington Hotel in Dublin to meet security and medical staff from the White House and to undertake a few practice runs. From there, he was included in the President's motorcade as it swept into Moneygall. Tony was in the Moneygall GAA grounds when the presidential helicopter landed. The medical officer left the chopper and got into the luxury coach. "It was a great experience to be in on the whole thing," Tony said this week. "I suppose if the Queen's and the Obama visits had been a week or two apart, I would have been on both. But it was great to be so near the whole thing and see the amazing security around it." Back home, his wife Colette and their children, Mark, Colm and Áine, were watching TV to see if they could get a glimpse of their daddy. Tony's friend, Neil - owner of Luxury Coach Hire - was meanwhile busy fulfilling his own rather different role, whisking the presidential wardrobe around the country in his coach. His contact was the President's valet and, as part of his role, Neil found himself in and out of Air Force 1, the presidential 'runabout', transferring outfits from the plane to his coach. He said this week: "I had a brilliant few days, most enjoyable. I've learned a lot from it. You could be years at this and not get a gig like this." His coach boot was piled high with the presidential baggage and he had to erect clothes rails inside the coach for the many suits and outfits the First Couple were wearing. Neil had a hearty laugh when it was suggested to him that he might now market himself as 'The man who drove around the President's wardrobe"!