An estimated 27,000 people gathered on the banks of the River Moy to hear US President Joe Biden's final public address in Ireland.
The crowd erupted with cheers and applause as Mr Biden took to the stage to the sound of 'I'm Shipping Up From Boston' by the Dropkick Murphys.
Having stood for hours, people raised their phones in the air to capture footage of the moment the US president first appeared.
"Hello Mayo" he shouted, as he began his speech.
This was a homecoming trip for the US president whose great-great-great grandfather Edward Blewitt left Ballina for Scranton, Pennsylvania, in the 1850s.
There were cheers in the crowd for his first mention of his Blewitt family connections in his speech.
He said speaking in the town "feels like coming home" adding that "everything between Ireland and America runs deep".
Mr Biden's links with the area and the bonds he has forged in recent years with his local cousins meant it was a day of personal significance for him and the family members accompanying him on the trip.
He referenced a visit he made earlier in the day to the Mayo Roscommon Hospice, where there is a plaque in memory of his son Beau.
"I can tell you how special it is that a piece of his legacy lives here among his ancestors," he said.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
President Biden's speech ended in applause as he left the stage after announcing "Mayo for Sam".
Crowds had formed in Ballina since early evening and two separate queues snaked their way through the town centre, both ending at entry points to a cordoned off area, opposite St Muredach's Cathedral.
The journey to the viewing point was delayed by security checks at the end of the line but people said they were determined to wait their turn and secure access to the event.
Roads had been closed around the town in preparation for the visit.
Mr Biden took to the stage in front of the cathedral at around 9.50pm.
Earlier in Ballina, former president of Ireland Mary Robinson read a poem by Eavan Boland in honour of President Joe Biden.
"I'm so pleased that President Biden has the same love for Ballina that I do, you have two presidents who love Ballina now, what else can you ask for?" she said, addressing the crowd.
Red, white and blue bunting fluttered alongside the stars and stripes everywhere in the town.
Mr Biden's address in front of St Muredach's Cathedral, had an added symbolism, given that Edward Blewitt is recorded as supplying over 25,000 bricks for the construction of the church in the 1820s.
After the speech, it is understood President Biden took some time to visit the interior of the cathedral before departing Ballina by helicopter.
Air Force One landed at Ireland West Airport Knock at 2.10pm, where Mr Biden was met by various dignitaries, including Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan and Mayo TD Dara Calleary.
From there, the entourage travelled to Knock, where Mr Biden visited the Marian Shrine and took some time for private prayer at the Apparition Chapel.
Shortly after 3.30pm, President Biden and his motorcade left Knock Shrine for Castlebar, where the Biden family made a private and emotional visit to the Mayo Roscommon Hospice.
The US president is a patron of the organisation and has a long standing pledge to visit the facility, having turned the sod on the development in 2017.
The penultimate stop on his day in Mayo took him to the North Mayo Heritage and Genealogical Centre, where he was further briefed on his links to the area.
After leaving the North Mayo Heritage Centre, a fleet of helicopters carrying the presidential entourage took in a number of sights the region, including the Céide Fields and Downpatrick Head.
The US President's visit officially concluded with a departure ceremony attended by members of the Government, at Ireland West Airport Knock tonight.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Mr Biden flew to Dublin before transferring to another plane for his return journey to the US.
