Americans elect first president with Offally ancestry

international | animal rights | news report Thursday November 06, 2008 15:56 by Hilary

First BIFFO President seen as major development

The United States of America took a giant step in the last week in the field of civil rights and human development when a man with Offaly ancestry was chosen to lead the nation. While there is no legal bar against people from Offaly or their descendants holding high office in the U.S., many were surprised that voters were able to overcome the widespread prejudice against the county.

Men from Offaly (known as BIFFO's) have often encountered a "glass ceiling" whereby they would be trusted with a glass, but not a pint.

Offaly residents celebrate

The current taoiseach of Ireland is of course from Offaly, but he was not elected by a popular vote, and current thinking is he will be removed from office at the next election, or as soon as the voters get a chance.

Many people in Offaly also claim he is "passing" and that he is not "BIFFO" enough.
Throughout history people from Offally have claimed to be from other counties, "passing for Tipperary men" or hoping to be taken for residents of Westmeath or Laois.

Residents from Birr, the largest town in Offaly, were today said to be cautiously happy about the development. Margaret O'Keeffe, said, "It's great news, but it may be that the people who voted for him don't know his grandad or whatever was Offaly."

A Dublin political insider commented: "It could have been worse, he might have been from Limerick".

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