President Joe Biden made a surprise stop in Ireland on Friday, meeting with Rev. Frank O'Grady, a Catholic priest who had given the last rites to his late son, Beau. The president became emotional at the chance encounter and later described the unexpected meeting as "incredible."
During an address following the visit, President Biden said that Rev. O'Grady should be giving this speech instead of himself. In October 2015, five months after Beau's passing from brain cancer, Biden announced he would not run in the 2016 presidential race due to its emotional toll on his family.
The powerful emotional moments experienced by President Biden during his time with Rev. O'Grady stood in stark contrast to what he encountered later that day - a festive atmosphere celebrating ancestral ties.
In Ballina, County Mayo -the hometown of his great-great-great-grandfather- locals greeted President Biden enthusiastically as they celebrated their connection with him. Residents decorated storefronts and homes with American flags and signs bearing messages of support for both Joe and Jill Biden.
"I'm proud to have roots here," said President Biden while addressing a cheerful crowd gathered at Market Square in Ballina.
Mary Hoare-McGowan spoke highly of her interactions with the U.S president: "He was so warm and kind; it felt like we were all part of one big family." Another local resident shared similar sentiments about their exchange: “It’s incredible how down-to-earth he is despite being one of the most important people on earth.”
As much as emotions ran high during these encounters –both somber and celebratory– it was clear that this trip held deep personal significance for America's current leader.