Mayo on high alert for Biden visit

LOCKDOWN Westport’s usually busy main thoroughfare, Bridge Street, clear of parked cars ahead of US Vice President Biden’s visit. Pic: Ollie Whyte Snr


US Vice President expected to land in Knock at 12.30pm

Michael Duffy

THE whole of Co Mayo is on tenterhooks this morning as the US Vice President Joe Biden is about to land in the county for an extensive visit.
Mr Biden is set to land in Ireland West Airport Knock at around 12.30pm, after which he will embark on a tour of the county, taking Ballina, Castlebar and Westport.
The vice president landed in Ireland yesterday evening, fulfilling a promise he made to an Taoiseach Enda Kenny when he was in America for St Patrick’s Day a number of years ago.
Mr Biden’s great-great grandfather, Patrick Blewitt was born in Garden Street, Ballina, in the early 1830s and left with members of his family for States in the famine-stricken 1840s. He is visiting Mayo with his daughter, five grandchildren, sister and brother.
It is expected that Mr Biden will first visit the north Mayo capital, where he will meet some of his relatives who still live in the area. It has also been rumoured that he will stay overnight in Mount Falcon House Hotel, just outside Ballina.
Later this afternoon, Mr Biden will travel to the hometown of An Taoiseach, Castlebar, where he is reported to be visiting the Museum of Country Life in Turlough and The Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar.
Later in the evening, at approximately 6.30pm, the vice president is expected to visit Westport. The town is already in lockdown, with no cars allowed to park on its main thoroughfare, Bridge Street, for the whole day.
The Vice President is then expected to stay in Mount Falcon overnight before playing a round of golf with An Taoiseach tomorrow (Thursday) morning. It is expected they will play at Castlebar Golf Club, although they may travel to either Carne Golf in Belmullet or Enniscorne Golf Club in Co Sligo.
Our reporter Neill O’Neill is part of the press contingent following Mr Biden for the day, and we will have live update throughout the day on www.mayonews.ie, Facebook and Twitter.