THE PUBLIC will have free access to the event in College Green at which US president Barack Obama will speak during his visit to Ireland next week.

The president will speak from behind a plexiglass screen for security reasons, and metal scanners will be in operation, but access is not being restricted in any way.

As details of Mr Obama’s itinerary emerged yesterday, US army aircraft have begun arriving at Dublin airport as part of the logistical back-up for the one-day visit starting on Monday.

Mr Obama is due to arrive at the airport on Air Force One shortly before 10am on Monday.

The president will then make a courtesy call on President Mary McAleese at Áras an Uachtaráin, before travelling within the Phoenix Park to Farmleigh, where he will call on Taoiseach Enda Kenny at the Government’s guest residence.

He will meet privately with US embassy staff. Weather permitting, he will then travel by helicopter to Moneygall, Co Offaly, the site of his ancestral homestead.

An hour has been allocated for this visit, during which Mr Obama will have a pint poured for him in a local pub and, unlike Queen Elizabeth, will most likely take a sip.

The only public event on his tour, at College Green, is scheduled to begin at 5pm, but this start time could be pushed later.

A number of rock, pop, traditional and classical music and spoken word artists will warm up the crowd for an hour before his speech.

A statement issued by the Department of the Taoiseach last night said the event would “be open to members of the public and is free of charge, tickets will not be required.

“To facilitate the large number of people expected to attend, security gates will open at 2pm on the day”, the statement added.

“Members of the public are advised to enter the security gates at the intersection of Parliament Street and Dame Street in front of Dublin Castle. Members of the public should either proceed from the north on Parliament Street or from the west on Dame Street.”

In his speech, expected to last 15 to 20 minutes, Mr Obama is expected to highlight the strong ties between Ireland and the US.

Large screens will be in place on College Green to enable all present to see those on stage.

Mr Obama, who will be accompanied by his wife Michelle, will fly out of Dublin at 10.25am on Tuesday to start a state visit to the UK.

He may stop at Glasnevin Cemetery en route to the airport.