President Biden’s visit to Louth a big success despite the weather

The historic visit by US President Joe Biden to Louth yesterday was a proud day for the county and, despite atrocious weather at times, the President was greeted by a warm welcome as he visited Carlingford and Dundalk.

Plans for a smooth helicopter journey from Dublin Airport to Cooley Kickhams GFC had to be abandoned at the last minute due to the weather and the Presidential cavalcade had to make its way to Louth by car.

Proceedings were further delayed by an unfortunate incident on the M1 (unrelated to the visit) which led many people to think they would never get to see the President. But President Biden, whose Louth roots are strong, was determined to visit his ancestral home.

The 46^th President of the United States is a direct descendant of Thomas, Catherine, James and Patrick Finegan who are interred in Kilwirra Cemetery, Templetown, Carlingford.

President Biden’s first stop in Louth was Carlingford Castle where, accompanied by An Tánaiste Micheál Martin, he took in the stunning views of Carlingford Lough.

Built circa. 1190, the castle was abandoned in the 1700s, but in more recent years has undergone careful renovation by the Office of Public Works to make it more accessible to the public.

The people of Carlingford were not shy in their welcome home to the President, lining the streets in the rain to greet his arrival. A pipe band, which included Niall Clarke,one of Louth County Council’s own firefighters, played a composition called ‘Biden Returns’. President Biden was delighted and, along with taking selfies, invited them to play at The Whitehouse!

“It was a huge privilege for Louth’s elected representatives to have been invited to Dundalk for a Special Community event with President Joe Biden and an even bigger privilege to have been personally introduced to the President.

He is the most important leader of democratic countries in the world today when democracy is at threat globally. I was delighted to represent the people of the historic and wonderful town of Drogheda and to gift President Biden with a variety of books, music, tourism leaflets but most importantly, an invitation to visit Drogheda on any return visits to Ireland.

*Louth fire fighter Niall Clarke poses for a selfie with President of the United States, Joe Biden.*

The President then travelled by car to Dundalk where once again he was greeted by large crowds lining the streets. In Clanbrassil Street the President paid a visit to McAteer’s Food House before embarking on a ‘walk about’ towards Market Square, meeting and greeting well wishers along the route.

A reception was held at The Windsor Bar and Restaurant, where President Biden met and took selfies with a number of dignitaries including Oireachtas members, Louth County Council elected representatives, and Louth County Council officials.

“He is the most important leader of democratic countries in the world today when democracy is at threat globally. I was delighted to represent the people of the historic and wonderful town of Drogheda and to gift President Biden with a variety of books, music, tourism leaflets but most importantly, an invitation to visit Drogheda on any return visits to Ireland.”

Chief Executive Joan Martin said: ‘It was an extraordinary day for County Louth, and we were delighted to witness the rousing welcome received in both Carlingford and Dundalk. We are really honoured that Joe Biden returned to Louth once again, this time as President of the United States, and hope that he takes home many great memories from his time in Louth.’

To mark the visit President Biden was presented with a pair of specially designed ‘Cloicín’ cufflinks, created by Louth based jeweller Garrett Mallon. Cloicín takes its name from the stony shoreline of Carlingford.

*Tanaiste Micheál Martin and US President Joe Biden are greeted at Carlingford Castle by Ireland’s Ambassador to the United States, Drogheda woman Geraldine Byrne Nason.*

A framed photograph of Kilwirra cemetery in Templetown, taken by Dundalk photographer Mark Duffy was also gifted, along with a book of Louth photographs taken by Mark Duffy.

While the visit was directed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the security services, Louth County Council had made preparations ahead of the Presidential visit over the last week.

These included: Installation of 50 sq. metres of new granite paving outside the ‘Queen’s’ building at Market Square; replanting of all flower beds at Market Square; removal of 50 bins along Clanbrassil Street, over 40 manholes searched and sealed with An Garda Síochána, and power-washing of footpaths and street surfaces throughout the town centre carried out over three consecutive nights.

In addition the ‘Clinton Monument’, installed at Earl Street to mark the historic speech made by the first US President to visit Dundalk in December 2000, was cleaned up ahead of President Biden’s tour of the town centre.

Louth County Council co-ordinated with a range of organisations and agencies, including: the US Embassy, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of the Taoiseach, An Garda Síochána and the HSE, to ensure the visit was such a success.

The visit put County Louth at the centre of national and international media coverage throughout the day, presenting once in a generation opportunities for tourism www.visitlouth.ie and future economic and business investment.