Joe Biden to visit island of Ireland to mark Good Friday Agreement

US President Joe Biden at Point Loma naval base in San Diego. Picture: Leon Neal/PA Wire

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said he is looking forward to US President Joe Biden visiting Ireland next month.

Speaking in California, President Biden confirmed the visit.

“It's my intention to go to Northern Ireland and the Republic," he said. 

The US president was speaking after British prime minister Rishi Sunak formally invited him to make the trip to mark the 25th anniversary in April as the pair held talks in San Diego.

The Irish Examiner first reported that US and Irish officials were working on plans for Mr Biden to visit Ireland next month and were initially working towards April 17.

Mr Sunak told the president: “I look forward to our conversations and also importantly, to invite you to Northern Ireland, which hopefully you will be able to do and so we can commemorate the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

“I know it’s something very special and personal to you. we’d love to have you over.”

Speaking in New York at an event to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he looks forward to Mr Biden’s visit next month.

He said it’s very welcome news and to reflect and remember the role of the US in the Good Friday Agreement.

The Taoiseach added that Mr Biden plans to visit was "good news". 

"I look forward to discussing the visit during my meeting with the President later this week," Leo Varadkar said.

Speaking on Tuesday morning, Brenda Blewitt said locals in Mayo would be delighted to have Mr Biden visit the county. 

Ms Blewitt is a distant cousin of the US president and met him when he visited Mayo in 2016.

She told RTÉ Radio that Mr Biden has kept up contact with his Mayo relatives and that he is "very interested" in his Irish family and roots. 

Louth's Cllr Andrea McKevitt said the Wee County would be another obvious place for Mr Biden to visit, given his links to the Cooley Peninsula. Ms McKevitt is a fifth cousin of Mr Biden and the US president's great-great grandfather was a native of the area.