'Feels like coming home': Biden says ‘everything between Ireland and US runs deep’ as he ends Irish tour

US President Joe Biden arrives on stage to deliver a speech at St Muredach's Cathedral in Ballina. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

US president Joe Biden took to the stage in Ballina following a short walk to the sound of the Dropkick Murphy’s I’m Shipping Up From Boston.

The crowd directly in front of the podium erupted into cheers and applause as Mr Biden finally took to the stage almost 45 minutes behind schedule.

He waved and smiled in response to the rapturous welcome, telling the huge crowd “Hello Mayo, it’s great to be hearing you all, it’s great to be back here in Ballina”.

"It feels like coming home” he said, adding: “Everything between Ireland and America runs deep.”

Mr Biden said the town is home to Ireland’s first female president (Mary Robinson), one of your youngest mayors, and maybe to Ireland’s first female astronaut – Norah Patten.

He thanked all the performers, particularly The Chieftains – telling them he saw them in 2016, adding: “I’m grateful you came back for one more time to perform tonight”, describing himself as a long-term fan.

“Most of all I want acknowledge my family, all the Blewitts, you make me proud,” he said to cheers.

US President Joe Biden on stage to deliver a speech at St Muredach's Cathedral in Ballina. Pictured: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Mr Biden referenced a visit he made earlier in the day to the Mayo Roscommon Hospice, where there is a plaque in memory of his son Beau.

He said: “I can tell you how special it is that a piece of his legacy lives here among his ancestors.

“Thinking about it I could hear my dad’s voice again. He’d always say ‘Joe remember family is the beginning, the middle and the end’.

“The beginning, middle and end, that’s the Irish of it.” He added: “Everything between Ireland and America runs deep; our history, our heritage, our sorrows, our future, our friendship. But more than anything, hope is what beats in the hearts of all our people.

“For centuries during times of darkness and despair, hope has kept us marching forward toward a better future, one of greater liberty, greater dignity and greater possibilities.”

“Mayo for Sam”, Joe Biden shouted as he ended his speech in Ballina.

People wait for the arrival of US President Joe Biden to deliver a speech at St Muredach's Cathedral in Ballina. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

'51st State'

Ballina is basking in the glow of a history-making Irish visit, as locals count on a Biden bounce in the wake of the president’s homecoming speech.

The Co Mayo town is proud of its history, with streets named in honour of rebel leaders from Irish history – including The O’Rahilly and Wolfe Tone.

It was proud too on Friday as Joe Biden made the town his final stop on his leisurely, four-day trip to the island.

Locals know the benefit of American business to the area – there is a Coca Cola factory just outside the town close to the banks of the Moy river – while the scenic surrounds have always attracted a steady stream of tourists.

The Coronas performing on stage before US President Joe Biden delivers a speech at St Muredach's Cathedral in Ballina. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

One sign on the town’s Main Street declared Ballina the “51st state”. And while Mr Biden’s presidential powers do not stretch as far as this particular corner of the western Irish coast, residents hope that long after the blue and red bunting has been put away the president’s ancestral ties to the county will deliver benefits.

Michael Mullowney, who started queuing for Mr Biden’s speech with his three children from 4.30pm, said: “It means a lot, because I suppose he’s the most powerful man on Earth. We’ll never get the opportunity again.”

He always thought Mr Biden would visit. “The biggest American company is here beside us, Coca Cola.”

Rory Quinn, who runs a jewellers in the town, agreed that the speech would bring a “huge” benefit to the town.

He said: “Americans will come back in their droves to Ballina to see where Joe Biden has spoken the last time when he was home. So I think that is a plus, plus for everybody and there is a great Irish-American relationship, so that all helps.”

Mr Biden visited Mayo as vice-president in 2016 and some locals did not believe he would come back again so soon.

Men erect flags on top of a building in Ballina (Brian Lawless/PA)

Joan Gleeson, a Ballina local who queued to see the president on Friday, said: “Words can’t explain what it means tourism-wise, even for jobs. 

"We have two American companies here – you never know what it would bring to us. Even tourists alone, that’s our big thing, that would be great for us here.”

She said that the whole town got behind the visit.

“Actually, we didn’t really believe he would come here again. We thought he won’t have enough time on the itinerary. 

When we heard it, we were over the moon. Because when he came once, I thought ‘Oh he won’t come again’. But everybody said, this is different, he is a president.”

Her friend Maura O’Reilly said: “For the country in general, I think it is an excellent boost for the country – economically and tourist-wise. It shows it off and it’s free.”

President Joe Biden stands with his son Hunter Biden and sister Valerie Biden Owens, second from right, as he looks at a plaque dedicated to his late son Beau Biden while visiting Mayo Roscommon Hospice in County Mayo. Picture: AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

In the GAA-mad county, there was less optimism that some of the Biden magic could rub off on the Mayo team – whose decades-long search for an All-Ireland title is a perennial source of heartbreak for the county.

Sean Keane, a retiree who came back to Ballina from his home in the London suburb of Wembley for the speech, thought that might be too much to hope for.

“I don’t think so,” he said.

But in a town where a clutch of famous Irish names adorn the streets, could there soon be a thoroughfare named after the Irish-American president?

“Oh you can be sure there will be,” Ms O’Reilly said.