Hopes rising for Louth visit next month from US President

Hopes are rising in Cooley that US President Joe Biden might pay a visit to north Louth during a trip to Ireland that is reportedly set to happen next month.

Councillor Andrea McKevitt, who is a distant relative of President Biden, told the Dundalk Democrat that reports that plans are underway for a visit have caused “a lot of stir” both in the Cooley Peninsula and among Cllr McKevitt's family.

“The speculation about the prospect of President Biden’s visit next month has obviously caused a lot of stir in the Cooley Peninsula and no more so than with my family, who all look forward with great anticipation to welcoming Joe back to Whitestown Shores”, said the local councillor.

It is understood that President Biden is planning to visit Ireland for a number of days, according to reports by both the Irish Examiner and the Irish Mirror, with the Irish Mirror reporting that a six day trip is planned at the end of April, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA).

The Irish Examiner reports that members of the US Secret Service are already in the country and are liaising with An Garda Síochána in preparation of the visit.

Cllr McKevitt told the Dundalk Democrat that “the POTUSs visit is planned to mark the 25 years of the GFA and what better place to stop off than County Louth to mark this celebration, a border county where his ancestors originated from, so I am hopeful a stop in Louth will be included in his trip. Cousin Joe has been a wonderful friend to Ireland and a firm backer of the GFA.”

Biden’s great-grandfather, James Finnegan, emigrated from County Louth as a child in 1850. All eight of his great-great-grandparents on his mother’s side were born in Ireland during the first half of the 19th century. On his father’s side, two great-grandparents were also born in Ireland.

President Biden last trip to Ireland was as Vice President in 2016, during which he visited north Louth. During the visit, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council at the time, Cllr Paul Bell, presented the Mr Biden with the Honorary Freedom of the County and a replica of the Brown Bull of Cooley made by local craftsman Joe Lawler.

Hopes that the US President might return to the Cooley Peninsula have certanly raised the moods of people in the area. Cllr McKevitt said, “from a family perspective the talk of the visit has created a real sense of euphoria, it would be truly wonderful for the Peninsula and the County to host a visit from Cousin Joe.”