Celebrations in the old country for ‘most Irish of US Presidents’
JOE Biden’s ancestral homes in Ireland have celebrated his inauguration with champagne and cake while waving Irish and American flags.
The US President’s proud links to Ireland are well-known and often spoken about by him.
He is seen by many as the most Irish American President to date, with his heritage tracing back to Ballina in Co Mayo and the Cooley Peninsula in Co Louth.
Many of his distant cousins toasted his swearing-in at the Capitol.
Homes across both counties were decked out in the Stars and Stripes.
In the Cooley Peninsula, where Mr Biden’s great-great-grandfather James Finnegan left for the United States, Andrea Mckevitt, a fifth cousin of Mr Biden, marked the inauguration with a low-key celebration.
She watched on with her family over Zoom as “cousin Joe” was sworn in. The family toasted the moment with bubbly, cheese burgers and fries.
“We didn’t get to have the celebration we wanted but we were joined by uncles, aunties and cousins over Zoom to watch it all,” she said.
“We hope he gets the chance to visit the Cooley Peninsula soon.
“It will be a proud day to welcome him back, and the sooner the better. There is a great sense of pride of having him as the President. It’s a magical atmosphere having one of our own in the most important office in the world.
“Joe has an affinity to Ireland, he will be a great friend to Ireland. Many Irish people left these shores in search of the American dream, and Joe is a prophet of an American dream and he shows what hard work and determination can do. His dedication to the Good Friday Agreement was comforting for us in Ireland.”
John Finnegan from Carlingford, a fourth cousin of Mr Biden’s, described it as an “emotional day”.
Mr Finnegan welcomed Mr Biden when he visited in 2017.
“We watched the TV all day to see him arrive and be sworn in — it’s a very proud moment that he once belonged here and now he’s in the highest office in the world,” he said.
“It’s been an emotional day for everyone and we are all so proud of him.
“He is a very charming and very friendly and very down to earth, calm and a smiley person. He makes you feel so welcome and doesn’t make you feel any less than him.
“He’s not a quitter and never gave up, he went on and got to where he is today through hard work.”
Nearby in Dundalk an American flag was erected outside the council building and a water feature lit up in the American colours.
Meanwhile, in Ballina on the other side of the island, locals gathered to take selfies under Mr Biden’s mural in the town centre.
His great-great-grandfather Patrick Blewitt was born in the town and left in 1850 to travel across the Atlantic.
Publican Derek Leonard said he and artist Smiler Mitchell sent a video to Mr Biden when they erected the mural in September prior to the election and he had responded to them via his Irish cousins.
“He was so chuffed. He said he would definitely be back as President next year,” Mr Leonard said.
“Lo and behold, he’s President. He’s said on more than one occasion that he expects to be back in Ballina as President of the United States, so we’re looking forward toit.”