Ballina locals are saying "the west will be awake" when US President Joe Biden addresses people in the Co Mayo town this evening.
The President will address people outside St Muredach's Cathedral on the banks of the River Moy at around 9pm.
The town, which is bedecked and bedazzled with stars and stripes and Irish tricolours, is expecting 20,000 well-wishers and spectators for the homecoming event.
"It has been all done up. It looks lovely. Every place is cleaned up for Joe. We're expecting our visitors and cleaning up and tidying up and putting up their flags," local woman Leonie Foody told RTÉ's Morning Ireland.
So fervent is the town’s effort to prepare for the visit, streets were power hosed during the middle of the week and Ham Bridge, which crosses the Moy and leads to Cathedral Street from the town centre, has US flags decorating it.
Over the past couple of days, Ballina has hosted countless blacked out vans, Secret Service agents and US Chinook helicopters
"We've Chinooks in the air, we have blackout vans all over the town. We've got loads of Secret Service walking around the town because everyone knows everyone else here, they’re easy to spot," said Orla McGrath of Timmy McGrath’s Sweet Shop.
The shop’s proprietors have decorated its window "with jars of sweets the shape of the American flag".
"We've put together, using jars of sweets, the colours of the American flag to represent how proud we are that President Joe Biden is actually coming here to Ballina," added Orla.
She said that if President Biden visits her shop she will give him a special deal on Ballina pink and white rock – a hard, thick, sweet candy cane.
"It's only for Joe. It's only for Joe. If he arrives, we'll give him two for the price of one," said Orla.
Anthony Moran, of Moran’s Shoes, said local businesses could endure closures resulting from the presidential visit because it would have a positive long-term impact on tourism.
"I know there's going to be a bit of disruption for a few days to trade, but the exposure Ballina is going to get is going to be fantastic. There's media outlets going to be here from all over the world and you can't really buy that kind of exposure. We’re looking forward to a lot of tourists, especially from America over the coming years," said Mr Moran.
Fr Kieran Homes, a Ballina priest who will show President Joe Biden his family’s ancestry records at St Muredach's Cathedral, said that the issue of emigration and the undocumented Irish needs to be highlighted to President Biden.
"One of the things that Joe Biden needs to hear about is all our emigrants that cannot come home because they don't have green cards. They're a prisoner, really, of the system there. I think that's one of the things we must remember and I think needs to be pressed upon him," said Fr Holmes.
He added the President’s address at the Cathedral is an honour for the local parish and diocese.
"It’s a great honour for him to be coming to Ballina. It’s great honor also for him to be speaking in front of the cathedral," said Fr Holmes.
Ann Marie Flynn, Ballina 2023 spokesperson, said the town was delighted the US President can be part of the town’s 300-year anniversary celebrations.
"It’s going to be a really lovely night here in Ballina. We're really delighted that the president has come to be part of the Ballina 2023 celebrations – which celebrate 300 years of Ballina. We're thrilled that he has decided to join us," added Ann Marie Flynn.
Joe Blewitt, a third cousin of President Biden, said the arrival of his cousin is "a great day for" his family and the people of Mayo and Ireland.
Mr Blewitt predicted President Biden will spend a lot of time meeting people after his address.
"I can't see him just coming doing the speech and hitting the road. He's a lovely fellow. He wants to shake your hand and ask you about yourself. He’s not just going to skiddoodle after that.
"The level of excitement in Ballina now is at a ten. When it arrives, as they say, 'The west will be awake’" said Mr Blewitt.
