'It means the world to me to be embraced as Mayo Joe': President Biden concludes Irish trip with Ballina address

US president Joe Biden delivers a speech at St Muredach's Cathedral in Ballina, on the last day of his visit to the island of Ireland. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Saving the best until last, Ballina came alive in a way never seen before on Friday night to give US president Joe Biden both the biggest homecoming and the biggest send-off of his four-day visit to the island of Ireland.

The atmosphere was truly electrifying in the build-up to Mr Biden’s appearance after short speeches from Cathaoirleach of Ballina Municipal District Mark Duffy and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.