By Áine Leech
WHILE most students celebrate their graduation with a nice lunch with their parents and perhaps a night out with friends, one local man took a slightly different approach by celebrating with U2’s The Edge, followed by a flight to Washington DC for a tour of the U.S. capital and the White House on election day.
Kymann Power, from Heathfield Close, Kinnegad, received the invitation to visit Washington D.C. a number of weeks ago from close friend Henry Healy, the Offaly man who discovered his long-distanced relations with President Barack Obama.
This week, Kymann was joining Mr Healy and friends, Greg O’Donoghue, Shane Gillen and Sean Early for the White House trip as the American public went to the polls in the most divisive Presidential elections in a generation.
Sharing the news on social media, musician Kymann revealed the exciting news to the disbelief of many of his friends and family, spending much of the day assuring people that it was in fact true. “Lots of people, who I wouldn’t know that well, assumed it was a joke. I suppose I would think the same if I saw it on somebody else’s Facebook page!” enthused Mr. Power.
VIDEO BLOG
The twenty-two-year-old recent graduate decided to virtually take friends and family with him for the journey by documenting his experience via a YouTube video blog, or ‘vlog’ as they are commonly known. “It’s been something I’ve been thinking of doing for quite some time but never really had anything that would make an interesting daily video log. This just seems like the ideal opportunity to start a YouTube series and it’s an incentive for me to keep documenting the whole thing.”
Kymann had been recording daily vlogs from his initial journey to the U.S. and all the tours in between so that viewers can feel like they are exploring The White House for themselves. “My intention is to vlog daily, of course it’s an intense week or travelling and sightseeing and all, so I’ll have to find the time to edit somewhere but I hope to have them up regularly during the week.”
Orchestrator of the trip, Henry Healy returned to the White House this week after visiting in January with close friend, Shane Gillen. As Obama’s closest Irish relation, Mr. Healy has been enjoying the visits since welcoming the President to his ancestral town of Moneygall Co. Offaly in May 2011. “I was delighted that Henry had asked me to join him for the trip. I had heard his stories from previous trips and I was just so excited to go,” said Kymann when asked how he initially reacted to the invitation. “The week that’s in it makes it all the more special too, given the fact that we’re here during election week.”
The trip will be Mr. Healy’s (affectionately christened ‘Henry the VIII’ by his eighth cousin Barack Obama) last visit to the White House. Undoubtedly filled with mixed emotions, Henry said this final trip is very “bittersweet” for him.
A former student of BIMM music college, Kymann has already been having a surreal month, receiving his certification of graduation from the college last Thursday from honorary guest, The Edge of U2 fame.
“It’s something the college do every year. Last year it was Bob Geldof. This year it was The Edge.”
WASHINGTON
After catching an early flight to Washington D.C., Kymann met up with Henry and their friends to settle into the awesome surroundings of the political epicentre of the U.S.
“We arrived at around 2.30pm local time and just spent time checking out some of the various sites of D.C., including Capitol Hill.”
In the lead up to polling day this Tuesday, Keymann spoke of the atmosphere which has taken over the city. “I’ve been following the politics online so it will be interesting to feel the atmosphere over there. It really is a once in a lifetime trip.”
Keymann and his travel companions plan on being in New York later this week, when a victory speech will be made by either Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton or Republican candidate Donald Trump.
A supporter of the Clinton campaign, Kymann revealed that they would not be attending her victory or defeat speech but were nonetheless thrilled to be in New York for such a momentous occasion.
Once in New York, Kymann will be enjoying his last few days in the city before flying back via London for a trip with friends.
“Myself and a few of the others will be sticking around and hopefully will get a glimpse of the McGregor fight. That really would top it all.”
Once back from London, Kymann will be taking part in Dublin’s ‘Run in the Dark’ 10k charity run on 16 November, raising funds for mental health charity Aware.
“It will certainly be a challenge anyway. I’ll literally just arrive back in Dublin that evening after a whirlwind of a trip and I’ll have to stick on the running shoes. I’ll have to find some time for running over in New York.”
To keep up to date with Kymann’s behind the scenes glimpse of the White House, check out his YouTube channel – Kymann Power.
To sponsor him for his run, visit https://www.youcaring.com/aware-ireland-669906
