BIDEN AWARDED THE HONORARY FREEDOM OF LOUTH
Louth County Council bestowed the ‘ Freedom of Louth’ on US Vice President Joe Biden during his only public engagement along the Cooley Peninsula.
The centrepiece of his visit to Louth was a presentation ceremony in Carlingford Heritage centre, where council Cathaoirleach Paul Bell presented the Vice President with the honorary freedom of the county.
In memory of his trip to the Cooley peninsula, he was awarded a wooden replica of the Tain Bull crafted by local furniture maker Joe Lawler.
Joe, a third generation wood craftsman, carefully designed the gift from timber from a 400 year old walnut tree which has been growing at the Battle of the Boyne centre at Oldbridge since the battle that changed the course of Irish and European history.
Joe said he was ‘ honoured and delighted’ when asked to design the replica for the Vice President.
The designer was first made famous for his creation of chairs used by President Bill Clinton during his historic visit to Dundalk in 2000.
‘It’s been a honour to make a gift for one of Carlingford’s most famous sons. The fact that his ancestors came from Cooley, the presentation of the bull was very apt as it is such an historical and mythical symbol of the area.’
He added: ‘ The fallen tree that the wood was taken from was on the site of the Battle of the Boyne on the day of the battle in early July 1690, and wood from the same tree manufactured the Freedom of Drogheda box for President Michael D. Huggins.
‘ Two great men, two great nations, now possess a small bit of history. If only the wood could talk!’
The Vice President was also awarded a special memento of his trip to north Louth, specially designed by bespoke jeweller Garret Mallon.
‘I was delighted to have been commissioned to make a pair of cufflinks for Vice President Biden to commemorate his visit to the Wee County yesterday,’ said Garrett.
Mr. Biden was presented with the handmade sterling silver cufflinks with an engraved gold Saint Brigid’s cross.
‘And I was lucky enough to hear his address in Carlingford Heritage Centre,’ said the designer
Speaking after the ceremony, Patricia Morrisey, from Carlingford Heritage centre said that it was an incredible event for all.
‘It has certainly been an honour to show the history of the area to one of Cooley Peninsula’s most famous sons. He told me that it means a great deal for him to visit Ireland.’
The Vice President said he was ‘delighted’ to visit the heritage centre, a restored medieval church located in the centre of the village, which had been restored in 1804.
Mr. Biden had been welcomed to the centre with the familiar sounds of the Cross Border Orchestra, led by violinist Patricia Treacy, and director Sharon Treacy Dunne, who had previously performed for him at his residence in Washington D.C as part of the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations this year. It was during their visit that the Vice President spoke of his plans to visit Louth.