US Vice President Joe Biden begins a six day visit to Ireland.
Joe Biden signed the visitors' book at the state reception at Áras an Uachtarain. The vice president of the US told President Michael D Higgins that his Irish grandfather would be very proud. Joe Biden and Michael D Higgins had bi-lateral meetings where they discussed the shared heritage of the two nations.
A céad mIle fáilte for this proud Irish American.
From Dublin, it was on to the west of Ireland. At Ireland West Airport in Knock, Vice President Joe Biden along with several members of his family were greeted by crowds of well-wishers as well as Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
Landing on Mayo soil was a homecoming of sorts.
From Knock, they travelled on to Ballina where it is something of a homecoming for the US Vice President. Joe Biden's ancestors had emigrated from Ballina during the Irish Famine.
Joe Biden is descended from the Finnegans in County Louth and the Blewitts in Ballina.
Some of his distant relatives were out in the town to catch a glimpse of the US Vice President. Triona Blewitt's father-in-law is the fourth cousin of Joe Biden and many of her family have turned out hoping to meet him.
Derek Leonard says that this is a special day for the people of Ballina as Joe Biden visits the home of his ancestors. Derek Leonard previously met President Bill Clinton and is hopeful of meeting Vice President Biden today.
Another Ballina resident Beryl Slevin says,
I'm absolutely thrilled that Joe Biden is coming home today.
Later, Joe Biden will take a walk through the streets of the Taoiseach's hometown of Castlebar before heading on to Westport for an obligatory pint.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 22 June 2016. The reporter is Teresa Mannion.
