What a difference a year makes

FAMILY TIES Joe Biden is pictured with his brother Jim (third from left) and nephew Jamie (second from left) and his distant relations from Knockmore, the Blewitt family. Pic: Trish Forde.

Neill O’Neill

THE last time Joe Biden was in Mayo, in June 2016, he was the vice-president of the United States of America, and one of the most powerful people on the planet. He arrived on a monstrous military plane into a private hangar at Knock Airport and toured Mayo in a convoy of 30 blacked-out and armoured vehicles and mini buses, including an ambulance, a swat truck filled with soldiers whose automatic weapons were fixed on the passing landscape, dozens of armed Secret Service agents and more procedure and protocol than is reasonable to imagine.
To touch on only some of the security, there was an electronic countermeasures suburban wagon, motorcycle outriders from an An Garda SíochΡna blocking every road to ensure uninterrupted passage, vetting of vehicles and people in towns the motorcade would pass through, a helicopter overhead, advance party reconnaissance, military personnel with what seemed like enough firepower to take on a small country, multiple screenings of the media and other people before they were let inside ‘the bubble’ and a whole lot of fuss. And that was before you encountered metal detectors, pat downs, advance screening, baggage inspections and an escort to the bathroom by a guy in sunglasses talking into his wrist. This was not Hollywood, this was Mayo in June 2016, and that is just how they do it in America.

All change
Last week, Joe Biden was in Mayo again, he stayed in Knockranny House Hotel in Westport, flew into Shannon on a regular plane, played golf in Westport, and was driven around with his brother by his nephew Jamie. When he was performing an official duty, such as at the Mayo Roscommon Hospice sod turning, he took selfies for people, spoke at length, told jokes and stories and was always smiling and polite. When he was undertaking the more private moments of his holiday, he also did all of the above when necessary, but otherwise went quietly and unassumingly about his business. In security terms, there was not as much as a squad car from An Garda SiochΡna to be seen near him.
Joe Biden, a US senator for 36 years and vice-president of the United States for eight, is now a private citizen, and he seemed to be taking his new role in his stride and relishing his new- found freedom. He has been linked with running for the Democratic nomination for President in 2020, but that remains to be seen.
Out of office since being succeeded by Mike Pence on January 20 this year, he was entitled to Secret Service protection for six months after that date, a timeframe that has since expired. Many people, with memories of towns being shut down last year and manholes being inspected and sealed, simply could not believe that it was all so casual last week. But somehow it seemed appropriate for the gentleman that Biden was, generous with his time, sincere with his words, genuine in his patience and always seeking to include everybody in the room. Before Joe Biden and then Taoiseach Enda Kenny played golf at Castlebar Golf Club last year, the Secret Service officer tasked with chaperoning the press for the day, informed us that he had been in Mayo for a week before the Vice-President arrived. Among his advance-party tasks was to play the golf course, to inspect it for hidden dangers or potential weak points, not in terms of Mr Biden’s on course ability, but in terms of his security. Last Wednesday, Joe Biden was drinking tea and eating scones in the clubhouse of Westport Golf Club, regaling all present with stories about encounters he had with President Ronald Reagan in the White House. There was no stress, no rushing, nobody looking over their shoulder.
His stories were both fascinating and humourous, and the relaxed atmosphere which he created made for a remarkable change from his last golf outing in Mayo.
So too there has been a need to adjust for Mr Biden’s good friend, Mayo TD Enda Kenny, who has had to readapt to a relatively normal routine not burdened with the rigours and demands of being Taosieach of Ireland for six years. Deputy Kenny too was without any security and was very much at ease, spending a lot of time last week with his American friends and joking and posing for photographs whenever he was asked, which was often.
Make no mistake, this is a man still in demand, still sought out wherever he goes and still able to command a room and deliver a line.
Both men have had considerable pressures lifted from their shoulders in 2017, but both were vey much comfortable being among the public and in each other’s company last week. With 84 years of political experience and public service between them, including stints in very high- profile and extremely stressful jobs, who could blame them for seeking a bit of down time and enjoying it together. Collectively, they would have some stories to tell from their time in politics and their years at the top. They are unlikely to run out of conversation, regardless of how many holes of golf they ever play.