In the speech President Joe Biden made outside St. Muredach’s Cathedral in Ballina, County Mayo, he proclaimed his Irish-ness and explained how the Irish people were not just a part of his family history, but a part of his soul.
“Over the years, stories of this place have become part of my soul,” he said to the adoring crowd.
An estimated 27,000 people turned up to catch a glimpse of the 46th President of the United States, some travelling for hours and standing in cold and rainy weather.
The President first arrived in Belfast on April 11th, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. From there he travelled to County Louth and then Dublin, before flying into Ireland West Airport Knock, in County Mayo.
Naturally, Biden enjoyed a warm response in the land of a thousand welcomes. However, back on the other side of the Atlantic, his approval rating is near the lowest point of his presidency. The rising cost of living crisis, including sky-high food and gas prices have turned the public’s attention toward the worsening economy. Of course, Biden’s presidency takes the brunt of such frustrations. Additionally, investigations into Biden’s handling of classified documents have done little to encourage the morale of the U.S. public in the past few weeks. Polls show a recent drop in support and many fear that running for reelection may not be in his best interest.
In his speech, Biden talked about the feeling of ‘coming home’ and at several points, referred to Ireland as his home. Embracing his heritage has always been an important characteristic of his presidency, an element of his personality that makes him likeable and accessible. In another speech he made in Dundalk, County Louth, he said that his grandfather used to tell him, “The best drop of blood in you is Irish.”
For many Americans, claiming their Irish heritage is of the utmost importance to their sense of self. Acknowledging the place, and the people, that they come from is a grounding technique, giving them a sense of belonging. The Irish are a historically scattered people, their diaspora being one of the largest worldwide. Many citizens of the U.S. who have never known a relative who has stepped foot on Irish soil, remain tenacious in their cultural identification. Witnessing one of the world’s most powerful leaders share in this desire to connect to their Irish roots, is a triumph for the millions of Irish immigrants worldwide, solidifying their national pride.
Though things may be chilly on the home front, the warm welcome Biden received from his ancestral family proves that with ‘Irish blood’ in his veins, he will always be embraced by the people of Mayo.
