President Obama's Irish cousin, Henry Healy, will attend the Democratic nominating convention in Charlotte, North Carolina next week, reports the Irish Times.

“I’m excited because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity afforded to me to see President Obama accept the nomination," said the Moneygall native.

“It’ll be an electrifying part of the re-election campaign, to be there to witness and absorb the atmosphere."

Healy, 27, was invited to the Irish-American Democrats convention party next Wednesday. He told the Irish Times that he would be traveling at his own expense, flying out on Sept 1 and returning the following Saturday.

Healy, who recently took a job with Ireland Reaching Out, an Irish genealogy campaign helping people trace their ancestors, welcomed Barack Obama when he visited the Offaly town last year.