U.S. President Barack Obama's Irish eighth cousin said he has obtained a new job with an Irish tourism campaign.

Henry Healy, 27, who became known as "Henry the Eighth" when his relation to Obama became known, said he lost his bookkeeping job recently and was hired as a tourism ambassador by Ireland Reaching Out, a genealogy campaign aiming to connect with the Irish Diaspora by contacting relatives of past immigrants, the Irish Voice reported Wednesday.

"I am absolutely thrilled," Healy said. "The vision is fantastic and has so much potential for every small town in Ireland."

"I believe in the power of the Diaspora and the powerful and positive contribution it can make over the long term to Irish people at home and abroad. I am looking forward to working with parishes across Ireland through the coming year," Healy said. "I am truly delighted to become part of this innovative and highly energetic organization."

Healy became an Irish celebrity when he was instrumental in convincing Obama to visit his hometown of Moneygall. He was in turn invited by Obama to visit Washington and tour the White House. (c) UPI