Today’s the day the US President’s four-day whistle-stop tour of Ireland begins.
His trip includes visits to Belfast, Dublin, Louth and Mayo where he will have a meeting with Irish President Michael D Higgins and his two furry friends Bród and Misneach as well as a meeting with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in Farmleigh and a public speech in Ballina.
Biden’s Irish trip started in Belfast yesterday evening when Air Force One landed in Belfast where he was greeted by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Biden will be visiting Belfast in order to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
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The White House’s official statement reads: “President Biden will first travel to Belfast, Northern Ireland from April 11-12 to mark the tremendous progress since the signing of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement 25 years ago and to underscore the readiness of the United States to support Northern Ireland’s vast economic potential to the benefit of all communities.”
This morning the President was set to deliver a keynote address at Ulster University’s brand-new Belfast campus which the university’s Vice Chancellor stated would be a “very special day” for the University.
As his time in Belfast comes to an end President Biden will visit Dundalk and Carlingford to surround himself with his own ancestry, as his great-great-great grandfather was from Co Louth.
The chairperson of Louth County Council said: “He has close and long-standing ties with the county and the Cooley Peninsula, and we look forward to extending the warmest of welcomes to him. I have no doubt that he will witness a large and welcoming Co Louth gathering”.
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Thursday morning Dublin will welcome Biden into its midst as he makes a series of important visits around the capital including Phoenix Park, Farmleigh and Leinster House.
All gates throughout Phoenix Park will be closed from 5pm Wednesday until 5pm Thursday to accommodate the American President’s visit.
His day will start with a visit to Áras an Uachtarain to meet Irish president Michael D Higgins, before proceeding on down to Farmleigh House.
He will then be transported across the city centre to formally address the Dail and Seanad simultaneously. A historical moment being only the fourth US President after JFK, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton to do so.
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He will then continue on to Dublin Castle where he will attend a State reception along with some of the most recognised people in Irish politics.
On Friday, Biden’s final day in Ireland, he will head West flying into Knock Airport. He’ll make a major public appearance in his ancestral home Ballina which he has previously visited in June 2016 as vice president to Barack Obama.
As president, he will make a speech in front of St Muredach’s Cathedral on Friday afternoon.
Irish presenter Laurita Blewitt a third cousin of President Biden’s said that the people of Ballina are so excited for the festivities ahead saying: “The whole place is getting a facelift, lots of painting being done and flowerbeds being set. It’s brilliant for the town and great excitement and we’re counting down the days.
“There’s a massive influx of American staff here in Ballina over the last couple of weeks. It’s been getting busier and busier.”
