Biden Wraps Up Ireland Trip with Visit to Ancestral Hometown
President Biden in Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland, where he delivered remarks in front of Saint Muredach’s Cathedral to bookend his official visit to Ireland (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz).
President Biden ended his four-day trip in Ballina where citizens waved Irish as well as American flags as the President toured their small Irish town.
Article by Georgia Simon, Associate White House Reporter
BALLINA, Ireland - After spending less than a week on the Island of Ireland, President Biden concluded his last day in the small County Mayo town of Ballina on April 14th.
President Biden has a close connection to Ballina as its the hometown of his great-great-great grandfather. Thousands gathered to celebrate the President and welcome him to their home.
“It’s great to be here with you all. And it’s great to be back in Ballina during your 300th anniversary,” President Biden said.
The small town has always been fans of the President. For example, in 2020 when President Biden won the election, a huge celebration was set in Ballina.
“And I want to thank you,” President Biden said. “ I heard you all had an impromptu celebration the night I was declared the winner in the 2020 election.”
Throughout his visit, the President made stops to many venues across the town, including Knock Shrine, where he encountered an emotional moment with one of their Catholic priests.
Rev. Frank O’Grady is a former United States Army chaplain at Walter Reed National Medical Center. O’Grady was the one who gave President Biden’s late son, Beau, his last rites. Beau died in 2015 from brain cancer.
O’Grady was not planned on the guest list and was a surprise to administration advisors as well. The President said it was “incredible” and “seemed like a sign.”
“[Beau] should be the one standing here giving this speech to you,” President Biden said.
Although emotions ran high throughout the early parts of his day, it did not phase the President as he arrived to the celebration at a local cathedral in Ballina. Press Secretary, Karine-Jean Pierre, even noted that the President was having the “time of his life.”
Upon arriving at Saint Muredach’s Cathedral in Ballina, the President had a special Ireland entertainment lineup with performances by the Irish bands of The Chieftains, The Academic and The Coronas.
“I want to thank the bands that played earlier: the Coron- — God, you guys are amazing; and the Academics. Let’s give another big hand, by the way, to the Chieftains,” the President said. “I remember being with you back in 2016, and I’m grateful you came back for one more time to perform tonight. Thank you to the Cheiftains. Your music is incredible, and I’ve been a longtime fan.”
The President ended his time in Ballina with an incredible speech noting Beau and his ancestry based in Ireland.
“My friends, people of Mayo: This is a moment to recommit our hearts, our minds, our ardent souls to the march of progress; to lay the foundations, brick by brick by brick, for a better future for our kids and our grandkids — one of greater liberty, opportunity, and dignity, just like our an- — ancestors did for us,” President Biden said.