Taoiseach grows in stature during historic week

The hoarse voice and strained features of Enda Kenny introducing the President of the United States was, in terms of public perception, the most memorable moment of his public engagements so far as Taoiseach. Barack Obama's genuinely historic visit proclaiming "an eternal connection" with Ireland shed a light on where we are at as a nation but also on who now leads it. "He doesn't just talk about the American Dream, he is the American Dream!" thundered a rejuvenated Kenny over the screams of the 35,000 people who turned up at College Green on Monday. The festival atmosphere and the US President had threatened to totally dwarf Kenny - who can seem staid and uninspiring - and standing next to Obama, he had to pull out a top-drawer speech and not make mistakes. It was far better than anything we've seen from Enda Kenny in a long time - a passionate, committed performance - and for an afternoon he looked at home rubbing shoulders with the most famous politician on the planet, never mind the most powerful. People were undoubtedly nervous about Queen Elizabeth's visit, more than saddened by the passing of Garret FitzGerald, and then stupefied by the charm of Barack and Michelle Obama - the country has gone through a huge month in May. As has Kenny. Previously, our guests had been the 'troika' of IMF/ECB/EU representatives who told us how bad a nation we are and brought nothing but austerity measures before going quiet in recent weeks. Here, at College Green, at least there was some hope, something that reminded people that there is not such a giant hole in our nation's soul due to the stupidity of preposterous bankers, developers and politicians. State figures with real leadership came to visit us in the last 10 days. Inspirational figures and, at the centre of things, Taoiseach Enda Kenny seems to have taken note. Garret FitzGerald's death reminded everyone in this country what a public servant should be. Too long portrayed as an academic, he has played the long game - for which he was originally mocked - and now he's lauded for it. At 85, he died the most respected politician of his generation. He wasn't as charismatic as Obama or a "dream become reality" but he reminded us of the standard of public servant the Irish people need. The passing of FitzGerald, the Queen's first visit and then Obama... Kenny's been, if not at the very centre, definitely central to all three and is now woven into that fabric of historical significance. This looks like it is starting to rub off on the Taoiseach as he looked like he perfectly understood the mood of the people at both of these recent comings and that sad going. The Queen's visit seemed to have passed the way 99 per cent of the people in this country expected it to - without real incident but with enormous diplomatic significance. Slowly, that's how diplomacy moves. There was nothing that Kenny could've added to what was essentially a meeting between President Mary McAleese and Queen Elizabeth. Barack Obama's whistle-stop visit was in total contrast to the death of Garret FitzGerald and to the background tension of the Queen's visit and it seemed that, for a moment, we really deserved this. Again, Kenny is now in a great position, compared to the man who famously needed prompting when interviewed on radio. This was chalk and cheese territory. His voice hoarse and with the spirit of Garret not forgotten, he stood before the crowds on Monday and introduced them to the first American President to address them publicly since Clinton in 1995. Enda Kenny will be remembered as being at the centre of these three international events. He now at least looks like he is stepping up to the plate in terms of international statesmanship. If he spoke like this all the time, including to the IMF when negotiating us a better deal, he'd already be safe for a second term without us ever having to go to the polls. "Dear ECB and IMF. No, we can't" might work.