On Monday afternoon as President Obama addressed the crowds in Dublin announcing:       “I've come home to find the apostrophe we lost somewhere along the way,” the crowd in Boston’s Irish pubs went silent.

Surrounded by Irish flags and Boston Bruins championship memorabilia, the people of Dorchester, in the Eire Pub, were spellbound by Obama’s visit to Ireland, according to reports by the Associated Press.

Almost 40 years ago this Boston neighborhood was the home to some of the worse racial strife between the Irish and the black communities during the busing riots. For years Irish-American politicians flexed their muscles.

On Monday Obama’s announcements showed just how much race relations have moved on. Irish iron worker, Peter Galvin, who sat in the bar said “It brought tears to my eyes…It made me proud to be an American — an Irish American."

Robert Simpson Sr. “We were all cheering…It was amazing."

Real estate agent Stephen McGee “It shows how much things have changed…I mean, I didn't even think of his race when I saw the speech. I just saw him as one of us."

Simpson said “Things have changed. Look at me. I'm in here and this is my father...For me, the speech hit me in a sentimental way because of who I am."

The locals hoped that Obama comes to visit Boston soon and follow in other Irish Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton by joining them for a pint in Eire Pub. McGee said “He needs to get in here...We need to see that."

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