US President Joe Biden arrived in Ireland for a historic visit, during which he is set to address the Irish parliament, meet with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, and celebrate 25 years since the signing of the Good Friday peace agreement. The president's trip includes various engagements that hold personal significance for him as well.
Upon arriving in Dublin, Biden was greeted by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar before traveling to County Louth on Ireland's east coast where he met distant relatives. In Dundalk, locals warmly welcomed the president with shouts of "welcome home, Joe." Later on his journey through the country, Biden explored his family's roots alongside sister Valerie and son Hunter. During these visits, Mr. Biden presented a multi-page genealogical table detailing his ancestry while connecting with an essential sense of Irishness.
In addition to reconnecting with his heritage throughout this four-day visit in Ireland, President Biden has several official duties planned. His itinerary consists of planting a tree at Áras an Uachtaráin (the presidential residence), signing visitors' books at various locations including Dáil Éireann (lower house) and Seanad Éireann (upper house), ringing the Bell of Peace in Dublin Castle—the former seat of British power—and attending state functions as guest-of-honor.
One central focus on this trip is commemorating 25 years since Northern Ireland’s landmark Good Friday Agreement put an end to most violence between Catholics and Protestants after decades-long conflict. As part of honoring this milestone achievement in peacebuilding efforts among communities historically divided along religious lines., President Biden opened a new Ulster University campus in Belfast calling for politicians to restore power-sharing government structures that have been paralyzed over one year now.
During meetings held both informally at pubs throughout Dundalk area or more formally amidst political leaders Stormont Assembly—Biden urged Irish politicians to return governing, praising the unity demonstrated following February's attempted murder on one of Northern Ireland’s top detectives.
President Biden also met with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during his stay in Belfast before departing for Dublin aboard Air Force One. Throughout these events, the rainy and blustery weather did little to dampen enthusiasm surrounding US president’s visit—numerous shops across Ireland stocked souvenirs commemorating occasion as locals eagerly anticipated engagement opportunities their American counterpart.
As President Biden continues discussions with Irish leaders about Good Friday Agreement while exploring his family ties this week, it becomes clear that importance placed upon nurturing relationships between United States and its trans-Atlantic neighbors remains ever-present within current administration priorities.