Ballina set for historic Biden address

Anton McNulty

THE eyes of the world will be on Ballina this Friday when President of the United States Joe Biden returns to his ancestral home to give his only public speech during his visit to Ireland.
Hundreds of people are expected to throng the banks of the River Moy on Friday evening to hear President Biden deliver a keynote address in front of St Muredach’s Cathedral on the final day of his four-day visit to Ireland. It will be the only time the President will deliver a public address during the Irish visit to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

US Ambassador to Ireland, Claire Cronin visited Ballina last Thursday in preparation of the Presidential visit, and is encouraging families to attend a once in a generation event to take place in Co Mayo.
“I’m really excited about it. This is really historic and I feel so optimistic about the trip itself but I feel emboldened and excited about the response I see from the Irish people about the impending trip.

“I feel this is going to be a moment in time. No President has ever given a major address in Mayo and particularly one with Mayo roots. This is a wonderful opportunities for so many families in particular in Mayo.
“I know if I was home with my kids and the President of the United States was coming I would make sure we went as a family,” she said on her visit to Ballina last week.
Details of the President’s visit to Ballina were not revealed in full at the time of going to print with Ambassador Cronin saying his schedule in Ballina is still fluid and could be right up to the day before.
What is known is that President Biden will fly into Ireland West Airport Knock on Friday afternoon and make his way to Ballina where will he give a key-note address in front of St Muredach’s Cathedral.
This is the only time he will address the public and the US Embassy in Dublin confirmed that the public must register to attend the free event.

Gates open
The US Embassy also confirmed that programme begins at 7pm and gates open at 5.30pm. The entrance to the event will only be accessible by foot and will be on a first come first served basis. One of the two entrances to the site is located at the junction of Barrett and Tolan Streets and the other near the junction of Dillon Terrace and Lower Pearse Street.
Shuttle buses will be available on a first come first serve basis with pick-up points at four zones which are Knockmore GAA car park; Castleconnor Community Centre car-park; Crossmolina and McVann’s Furniture on the Killala Road in Ballina.
Confirmation of President Biden’s visit to Ballina was met with excitement in the north Mayo capital which is the ancestral home of the 46th President of the United States. His great-great-grandfather, Patrick Blewitt was born in Garden Street, Ballina in the early 1830s and left with members of his family for the States in the 1840s settling in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Cathaoirleach of Ballina Municipal District, Cllr Mark Duffy told The Mayo News that there is great excitement ahead of the President’s visit and encouraged the public to enjoy the historic occasion.
“We must ensure we enjoy it because we don’t get these opportunities as a county or a region or a country every other day. There is plenty of negative things in the world to bring you down but this should be heart lifting experience for everyone. I hope every family and everyone enjoys the moment because it will be historic,” he said.
Anyone wishing to attend the event in front of St Muredach’s Cathedral is asked to register in advance on www.tinyurl.com/biden-ballina.

Traffic notice
Mayo County Council have stated that in preparation for the visit of President Biden on Friday, there will be major traffic disruption in Ballina this week. With effect from yesterday, Monday, April 10, Cathedral Road is closed and a new traffic layout is in operation and the public are advised to please expect delays
While President Biden will arrive and depart at Ireland West Airport, on the afternoon and evening of Friday, April 14, passengers to the airport are advised that normal operations will continue at Ireland West Airport at all times. However travelling members of the public should allow additional time to arrive at the airport due to possible rolling road closures.