Tuesday, january 19, 2021 • The Mayo News BIDEN MAYO’S US PRESIDENT 1 BID N MAYO’S US PRESIDENT

A souvenir supplement from The Mayo News

Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok DEC 22 1 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy Time Time Time Time Modified Mon, Jan 18, 20:01 Output Thu, Jan 21, 17:18 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20210119:BIDEN SUPPLEMENT:JOE BIDEN SUPPLEMENT Page 1-8.indd 2 BIDEN MAYO’S US PRESIDENT The Mayo News • Tuesday, january 19, 2021 Tuesday, january 19, 2021 • The Mayo News BIDEN MAYO’S US PRESIDENT 3 All the way from

Biden’s affection for Ballina to Capitol Hill his ‘home’ county is clear, and he’s only too happy to talk about it Áine Ryan

Blewitt from Ballina who became a Biden from Scran- ton, Pennsylvania, is about to the First Citizen of the United States. Doesn’t it have Aa nice ring to it. Doesn’t it resonate dur- ing these dark days, particularly for all those Mayo people who were forced to emigrate over the decades, indeed, the centuries. Doesn’t it give hope to all those undocumented Irish who have been living in fear of deportation? In so many ways, the great-great-great- grandson of Edward Blewitt becoming the President of one of the most power- ful countries in the world underpins the story of the US. Or, at least, the one that has been the dominant narrative of Hol- lywood movies and romantic novels. If we have learned one thing over the last four years it is that this vast federal society is a complex one with chasmic differences in it multicultural and myr- TOURIST ATTRACTION Pictured at the unveiling of the Joe Biden mural in Ballina last September were members of the Ballina Community Clean-Up Committee with members of the Blewitt family, iad race and religious beliefs and inter- local relations of the new President of the USA. Pic: John O'Grady ests. If there is one thing that Donald Trump’s presidency has succeeded in achieving, it is the exposure of how flawed the political, economic and cultural system of this great country has become. This is underscored by the fact that a Build it, and they will come narcissistic despot – whose main inter- est is himself – can influence over 74 million people to vote for him. AMONG HIS OWN The new President of the USA, Joe Biden, pictured with locals during his visit to his ancestral home of Ballina in 2016, when he Those frightening scenes on Capitol was US Vice President. Pic: Maxwells Hill on January 6 exposed the fissures in the world. compelling tale that transcends politics. in that society in a most grim and con- Anne-Marie Mural artist Padraig ‘Smiler’ Mitchell, who painted with Biden’s affection for his ‘home’ county is clear, and he’s cerning manner. As one commentator cratic process for the election of US Flynn fellow artist Leslie Lackey, always intended it to be this only too happy to talk about it. He has made clear his inten- opined: it was like a scene from a Quen- presidents – we all know, this scene could way. Even if he didn’t quite anticipate the intensity of the tion to return to Mayo, and like in 2016, will bring the eyes tin Tarantino movie. have easily turned in to a bloodbath. global reaction. For days, he and members of the Ballina of the world with him. Advertising you could not buy. Such Septuagenarian Joe Biden has his work The reality is that the big social media photo with the mural of Joe Biden located in Community Clean-Up Group, who supported the project, profile for the town, which has been working hard to attract cut out for him. Dealing with the fall-out channels may have temporarily muted Market Square, Ballina, has become – in the couldn’t walk anywhere without a camera crew looking and delight visitors in recent years, can only encourage over Trump’s attitude to the pandemic Trump’s myopic megaphone but like the words of the Australian Ambassador to Ireland, for a few words. Aware of the potential interest a project more people to come and see it for themselves, and Ballina would be more than enough for most spoiled brat that he is, he has now warned no less – ‘the must-have selfie of the year’. Hav- like this could generate, he and his fellow volunteers had and North Mayo will be ready. incumbents of such high office to address, he will set up his own platform. Let’s ing spotted the image of Biden’s smile beaming set about creating a striking image that could become never mind a deeply divided society not even begin to surmise how danger- fromA a gable wall in Ballina on his TV during US election iconic and draw the eyes of the world into the town. Biden Centre? whose chief enforcer has been an ego ous that could be or, indeed, how a more week, His Excellency Mr Gary Gray, the Ambassador of There is already talk of a Biden Centre, to complement maniacal president stoking the flames intelligent, pragmatic political leader or Australia, his partner Pippa and dog Ted just had to stop Resounding success the soon-to-be-realised Mary Robinson Centre. Thanks to of hatred. Septuagenarion aspirant dictator could manipulate his by Ballina on a recent trip west for a shot. You could say it has been a resounding success, but that increased investment and collaborative efforts in recent So why did the big social media giants Joe Biden has or her own platform to stoke up Mr Gray was not alone; visits from NBC, CNN, Sky, BBC, won’t become clear in reality until the visitors start arriv- years, the tourism offering has grown stronger by the year. like Facebook and Twitter wait until a unrest. Al Jazeera ensured that billions of people around the world ing. But the indications are good. When they visit, there will be plenty to see and do. Upon seditious assault on Capitol Hill before his work cut So many of us will breathe a sigh of enjoyed a glimpse into life in the north Mayo capital, where Mitchell has been inundated with emails and texts from recovery, the prospect of direct US flights into Ireland they stopped this man? Moreover, why out for him relief tomorrow when Joe Biden is sworn Joe Biden’s great-great-great grandfather once raised a the US and around the world, from places as far-flung as West Airport will no doubt become a hot topic again. And did Youtube wait until January 12 to in as the 46th President of the US , along- family of nine with his wife Mary Mulderrig, adjacent to Bahrain; and the message is unanimous. They can’t wait in Ballina, visitors can be assured of an earthiness, humour temporarily ban Trump’s channel from side his Vice President, Kamala Harris, what is now Harrison’s Bar on Garden Street. In 2016, the to come and see it for themselves. Ballina will welcome and authenticity that is hard found in more established uploading new videos or live-streams a momentous moment for gender equal- then US Vice-President paid a visit, and a smiling photo them with open arms. In ordinary times, the US diaspora tourism destinations. because, according to a report in The ity. Let’s hope the Democrat’s tight Sen- with owner Derek Leonard now hangs proudly on the wall travels in their droves to this emigration-hit part of Ireland, The Biden mural was borne out of a community project Guardian ‘earlier content violated poli- ate majority allows them to steer a steady of the bar. to visit family and find long-lost relatives. They have been - Ballina Community Clean-Up’s intention to acknowledge cies for inciting violence’. ship in the next four years. Next week, TV crews will once again converge upon the sorely missed over the past year, and they too, have missed their own. Tributes paid to Jack Charlton, Michael Gaughan, Why did it talk six days after the assault All of us here certainly wish him a fair town to coincide with Biden’s inauguration, but strict lock- Ireland. Numerous posters on the Mayo.ie and Mayo North and soon, Joe Corcoran and others, signify their intention for a YouTube spokesperson to say in a wind from the ancestral county of his down measures prevent any marking of the occasion, and Tourism social media channels speaking of longing for the to tell the stories of the people of this place, and make statement to CNN: “After careful review, maternal forebears here in the wild west indeed, prevent Biden’s Mayo family, the Blewitts, with green fields of home, after a longer than planned them visible in the townscape. Family is everything, as the and in light of concerns about the ongo- late? What if some of the weapons and of Ireland. whom he enjoys a close personal friendship, from travel- absence. Bidens and the Blewitts will testify, and tourism would ing potential for violence, we removed pipe bombs had been used to a more ling to attend. Naturally, there has been some pushback; concerns have lack substance without the fascinating tales like theirs. new content uploaded to the Donald J devastating effect? Alongside the insur- But better days lie ahead, and it is certain that, having been raised locally about politicisation, and of course, the Storytelling like this adds layers of personal interest across Trump channel and issued a strike for gents who obstructed the counting of HISTORY MAKER Kamala Harris firmly and deliberately staked its claim, the town will do US diaspora is both blue and red. But fundamentally, this the landscape for which we are so famed in north Mayo, violating our policies for inciting vio- electoral college votes being overseen becoming the new Vice President of its best to court visitors from all around the world, eager is a story about people, about family, and about a son of making it altogether irresistible. lence.” by Vice-President, Mike Pence – a key the USA is a momentous moment for to capture their own selfies with the most powerful man the town whose descendant became the US President – a The future is bright. Once again, is this not too little too and conclusive element in the demo- gender equality.

Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok DEC 22 2 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy DEC 22 3 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Modified Mon, Jan 18, 20:01 Output Thu, Jan 21, 17:18 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20210119:BIDEN SUPPLEMENT:JOE BIDEN SUPPLEMENT Page 1-8.indd Modified Mon, Jan 18, 20:01 Output Thu, Jan 21, 17:18 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20210119:BIDEN SUPPLEMENT:JOE BIDEN SUPPLEMENT Page 1-8.indd 4 BIDEN MAYO’S US PRESIDENT The Mayo News • Tuesday, january 19, 2021 Tuesday, january 19, 2021 • The Mayo News BIDEN MAYO’S US PRESIDENT 5 Getting ready to celebrate a truly special occasion

Since first meeting withPresident Elect Joe Biden in 2016, his fourth cousin Laurita Blewitt has forged a special relationship with the man soon to be the most powerful man in the world. Here, she tells The Mayo News how that bond was struck up, and how her family plan to celebrate for Wednesday’s inauguration

HE MAYO NEWS (MN) - MN - Having Joe over to turn the When did it first become sod at the hospice in Castlebar apparent to the Blewitt family must have been a very special that Joe Biden was a distant occasion for you and everyone relation? involved? LAUTRITA BLEWITT ((LB) - We were LB - It was very special. He is a very always aware that the link was there, genuine man full of strong family Biden relations visited Mayo in the values and his association to hospice 1970s. But it was 2016 before we actu- care is very strong. His son Beau died ally met Joe Biden himself in person, of brain cancer in 2015 and his name when he came here to Ireland on a six will be forever attached to the Mayo day visit as Vice President. Hospice because of that visit. It was also something very important to Joe MN - When was the first time you and to the Biden family. I rang him a actually made contact with him few months before we were ready to directly? turn the sod and he promised me he LB - I spoke to Joe three or four would do it the moment he had a few times before he travelled over as Vice free days in his diary. He didn’t let me President in 2016 so to then finally down and he arranged his own flights meet him in person, it was very and accommodation. It is amazing special. now that the President of the United States of America has such a strong MN - You and your family really association with the Mayo Hospice. FOR THE FIRST TIME Extended SPECIAL MEMORIES Laurita Blewitt members of the Biden and Blewitt and her sisters Brenda and Catherina seemed to strike up a great bond families met for the first time in 2016 are pictured with Joe Biden when they with him? MN - When did you first realise when Joe Biden visited Ballina as part met him for the first time in person in LB - It was all very natural from the there was a real chance that he of six day trip to Ireland as American Ballina in 2016. At the back is the girl’s get go, and we had a lot to catch up could be the Democratic candi- Vice President. Pic: Neill O’Neill mother, Christina, who sadly passed on and chat about. He is genuinely date, and then the actual Presi- away in December 2019. very passionate about his Irish dent? Pic: David Lienemann connections and most especially his LB - I was delighted to be able to go connection to Knockmore and to the States in February 2020 and Ballina. I personally established a join Joe on his campaign trail. From very close bond with him and many that moment on, I knew it was the members of the Biden family, as well sensible option for the Democrats to as his staff members. pick Joe to run against Donald Trump. I think if he had run in 2016 MN - What are you plans for MN - How did it come about that he would have beaten Donald Trump. watching and celebrating the inau- you travelled over to see him While on his campaign trail, I spoke guration? collect his Medal of Freedom in to many people and even knocked on LB - Well, I had planned on being on 2017? doors. I got a sense at that moment, Capitol Hill for the big day but LB - He is a very loyal person and he people actually liked him and trusted because of Covid and the recent very kindly invited me over to the him. He loves incidents in Washington, I think its White House before he left office. I A SMILING SELFIE Laurita Blewitt pictured in The White House with Joe Biden, her safer to stay put in Knockmore! everything brother Joe and brother-in-law Francis O’Flaherty, after Joe Biden was presented with the was able to keep in touch with him MN - Joe seems especially proud Medal of Freedom in 2017. Because of the current restrictions and after he visited Ballina and we of his Mayo and Irish roots, was about Ireland how bad the Covid situation is at the worked on when there was a gap in that always apparent from the first moment, it will very much be a quiet his schedule for me to travel to Wash- time you met him? and I love keeping him very much up Knockmore or Ballina but I know celebration. I’ve arranged to do a quick ington. But he or his staff were not LB - As he announced former Boston to speed on everything about Mayo. there will be a lot of people around FaceTime with the Bidens on Wednes- aware he was going to receive the Mayor Marty Walsh last week as his Of course, I let him know that Mayo and Ireland who will be very day and then I will watch it all unfold Medal of Freedom. His staff were Labour Secretary, he joked that the Knockmore won the County Final proud of him. I have received so on TV. All our family would like to be made aware by President Barack only thing that was wrong with Marty recently! many cards and messages of good together for it but we will have to make Obama that something special was was that his people were from luck from all across Ireland to send do with watching it all unfold from our going to happen so they contacted Galway and not Mayo. That’s it in a MN - How special an occasion will on to him. People have written songs own homes and just chat and stay in me and we were able to arrange the nutshell. He talks all the time about FAMILY TIES Joe Biden is pictured with be it be for everyone in Knock- and poems for him from all across touch on the phones. I’ll dig out my trip in the space of a few hours. I rang how his mother instilled such strong his brother Jim (third from left) and more/Ballina and Mayo, if he gets the country. American flags and Biden for President my brother Joe on the Tuesday Irish values in him and his siblings nephew Jamie (second from left) and a a chance to travel to the county as He has really embraced Ireland and I flags that I had for the election and large group of his relations, the Blewitts, afternoon and we were on a flight to growing up. He talks about his from Knockmore, at the sod turning President of the United States of know that Ireland will embrace him decorate the house to pretend I’m there! Washington the next morning at 9am. grandmother speaking Gaelic to him. ceremony for the new hospice facility in America? too, as he takes on the biggest task of I can’t wait. It will truly be an occasion It is a trip that I will never forget. He loves everything about Ireland Castlebar, back in 2017. Pic: Trish Forde. LB - I can’t talk for everyone in his career. to remember and savour.

Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok DEC 22 4 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy DEC 22 5 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Modified Mon, Jan 18, 20:01 Output Thu, Jan 21, 17:18 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20210119:BIDEN SUPPLEMENT:JOE BIDEN SUPPLEMENT Page 1-8.indd Modified Mon, Jan 18, 20:01 Output Thu, Jan 21, 17:18 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20210119:BIDEN SUPPLEMENT:JOE BIDEN SUPPLEMENT Page 1-8.indd 6 BIDEN MAYO’S US PRESIDENT The Mayo News • Tuesday, january 19, 2021 Tuesday, january 19, 2021 • The Mayo News BIDEN MAYO’S US PRESIDENT 7

Biden says he draws most of his strength from his family, his religion and his Irish roots. Joe Biden - a life less ordinary

when I first met him at a White House St Patrick’s Doting grandfather when it came to the biggest decision of his polit- The new President of the USA has lived Day celebration some years ago. And now, after a life littered with tragedy, his ical life. Irish music and poetry and his fondness for career has propelled him to the White House. “Pop told us this election would be different a life full of extreme ups and downs Mayo are among his favourite subjects. He once There, he will face immense national and global from any other election ever. He was worried how declared that his native state of Pennsylvania challenges but by all accounts his top priority will it would affect his kids and whether we wanted will be written on his heart ‘but Ireland will be remain checking in with his grandchildren who to go through another campaign,” said Natalie. US Senate at the bedside of his two injured sons, written on my soul’. call him ‘Pop’. They didn’t hesitate. “We told him, get in that Bette Beau and Hunter. He began to wonder, as he said He credits his toughness and resilience to his It’s always been like that for the doting grandfa- race. Hurry up. We just knew he had to and and Browne in his book Promises to Keep, if ‘God had played Irish background. His father, Joseph Biden, who ther, who calls them every day on the phone. we weren’t taking no for an answer.” a horrible trick on me’. lived first in Scranton, Pennsylvania, before “If we don’t talk to him or pick up every day, he’ll He may not be able to do this as much now, but The accident filled him with rage and to calm moving on to Mayfield, Delaware, cleaned fur- ask us what’s wrong. He’ll pick up our calls no in Delaware he loved hanging out with his grand- n his moment of triumph on Inauguration his anger he often walked the streets, desolate naces for a living and also worked as a used car matter where he is, if he’s on a stage or wherever, children at his lakeside home outside Wilmington. Day, Joe Biden will surely finger the rosary and bereft. “For the first time in my life,” he said, salesman. and say ‘what’s wrong, is everything good?’” says Beau’s children, Natalie and Robert, lived close he carries in his pocket and recall the trag- “I understood how someone could consciously But he often fell on hard times and couldn’t his eldest granddaughter, 26-year-old Naomi. enough to stop by and chat. edies he’s overcome to reach the highest decide to commit suicide.” find work and when Biden was born, and for “Anyone who wants to get to Joe Biden will have “We sit on our back porch and they sit out on office in America. The pain eased over time but it never left him. several years afterwards, the family had to move to get past us first,” she joked over a photo of sev- the lawn with two chairs there,” Biden said, “and I“He always carries a rosary,” says Biden’s close He told families at a 9/11 commemoration: “No in with Biden’s grandparents. eral of them. we talk about everything that is going on in their friend Fr Kevin O’Brien, while Biden himself matter how many anniversaries you experience, The family circumstances improved over the And it might be wise to listen to Naomi as she’s day. And talk about being home from school. And remarked he has to replace them all the time for at least an instant, the terror of that moment years but at one time Biden washed school win- just become a qualified lawyer and her boyfriend, who’s driving whom crazy, and so on.” because they tend to go missing! returns, the lingering moment of that phone call, dows and weeded gardens to help his family to Peter Neal, is also studying law. And it was his grandchildren who apparently This ‘son of Mayo’ may appear every inch the the sense of total disbelief that envelops you. pay school fees. The President-elect doesn’t drink or smoke but broke the news to him of his presidential victory. sunny American leader but this is a man whose You feel like you’re being sucked into a black He’s also said that when he would come home his big indulgence is ice-cream. He and Jill were sitting on their back patio at home life was forged in the school of hard knocks and hole in the middle of your chest. from school in a bad mood because he had been “He’s always eating ice-cream, usually vanilla when their grandchildren rushed out to tell him steeled by family tragedy. “My three children had been in the car with bullied, but his mother would tell him: “Bloody with chocolate, eating it from the freezer so “Pop, Pop! We won!” He once credited his fight against the odds to my wife when the accident happened. Neilia had their nose so you can walk down the street the grandma doesn’t see him,” according to grandchild, And so the great-grandson of Mayo’s Edward a ‘stubborn Irish streak’. Certainly, he has needed been killed and so had our baby daughter. The BACK WHERE IT ALL BEGAN The new Second marriage gery led to blood clots in his lungs, which meant next day!” Maisy. His favourite dish is pasta. Francis Blewitt enters the White House. His great- to be tough to persist three times before finally boys were alive.” President of the USA Joe Biden and In 1977 he met and married Jill Jacobs and went further surgery, but after a seven-month recovery One of the reasons he was bullied was because He has three adult grandchildren and two in grandfather would be so proud. “He was proud of reaching the most powerful office in the world. Amid grief and desperation, he contemplated members of his family on a walkabout in on to become one of the longest serving senators he returned to the Senate. he had a stutter. He eventually overcame it by their mid-teens. Natalie (16) and Robert (14) are his ancestors,” Biden says. “He was proud of his The first tragedy that tore his life apart hap- leaving politics. “Delaware can get another sen- Ballina in 2016, with members of his family, in the United States before resigning his seat to He was back in the presidential ring again in memorising long passages of poetry and reciting Beau’s children, while Naomi (26), Finnegan (20) blood. But most of all he was proud of his fam- security and then Taoiseach Enda Kenny pened in 1972 when he was just 30. He had just ator,” he said, “my boys can’t get another be President Barack Obama’s vice president in 2008, but that election ultimately saw Barack them out loud in front of a mirror. and Maisy (19) are Hunter’s. The most recent ily.” and his wife Fionnuala. Pic: Neill O’Neill been elected the youngest senator in modern US father.” 2008. Obama sweeping to power. “It’s a funny thing to say, but even if I could, I addition to the clan was a baby boy born to Hunter Just like his great-grandson, the new president history and he and his wife Neilia were planning But his friends finally persuaded him he could He ran for president himself three times. The Seven years, later tragedy struck again when would not wish away the darkest days of the and his wife Melissa. of the United States of America. their future together in Washington. make a positive contribution in Washington and able to kiss them goodnight and kiss them in the first time was in 1988. Soon after deciding to his son Beau, aged just 46 and former attorney stutter,” he said. “Carrying it strengthened me “We’ve all grown up together. Every single But a week before Christmas, on December 18, he was subsequently sworn in at the hospital morning the next day’. He would continue this withdraw from that race he had a brush with general of Delaware, died from cancer in 2015. and made me a better person. (national) holiday he also makes sure we’re Bette Browne has worked as a journalist in 1972, his wife and 13-month-old daughter Naomi room of Beau and Hunter. daily 220-mile commute for 37 years. By focus- death. Biden says he draws most of his strength from The very things it taught me turned out to be together,” said Naomi. “I don’t think there’s been Europe, Asia and America. She was a senior editor were killed in a car accident near their home. Each night he travelled the 110 miles home by ing on his young sons, he said, ‘I found my Doctors discovered he had two life-threatening his family, his religion and his Irish roots. He invaluable lessons for my life as well as my cho- any decision big or small that we haven’t decided with Reuters in London, New York and Washing- The following month Biden was sworn into the train from Washington because ‘I wanted to be redemption’. brain aneurysms. Complications from the sur- loves to speak about Ireland, as I discovered sen career.” as a family.” And that’s exactly what happened ton for over 20 years.

Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok DEC 22 6 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy DEC 22 7 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Modified Mon, Jan 18, 20:01 Output Thu, Jan 21, 17:18 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20210119:BIDEN SUPPLEMENT:JOE BIDEN SUPPLEMENT Page 1-8.indd Modified Mon, Jan 18, 20:01 Output Thu, Jan 21, 17:18 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20210119:BIDEN SUPPLEMENT:JOE BIDEN SUPPLEMENT Page 1-8.indd 8 BIDEN MAYO’S US PRESIDENT The Mayo News • Tuesday, january 19, 2021 Mayos in American herald the inauguration of one of their own

Force One as it lands in Mayo.” Bette The Mayo Irish in the president’s orig- Browne inal home town of Scranton, Pennsylva- nia, are jubilant about their native son becoming president. ons and daughters of Mayo Patti Mitchell, who continues the work all across the United States of the committee that twinned Ballina are over the moon that one of with Scranton in 1991 after an initiative their own is being sworn in by Ballina’s late Lord Mayor PJ Downey as America’s 46th president. and Scranton’s then Mayor Jim Connors, SPeople like Jim Cavanaugh of knows the Biden family well. Nebraska. “We are so proud of our president and “We are over the moon to have a Mayo his family—what a journey, from Ballina man as US president for the first time in to Scranton to the White House. We will history,” he said in an interview from the be happily celebrating our Mayo man on city of Omaha. January 20 as the 46th President of the Jim’s grandparents are from Bangor United States.” Erris and the farm that belonged to his In the nation’s capital, Stella O’Leary, grandfather, James Munnelly, is still in President of the nationwide Irish Amer- the family. ican Democrats group, was also elated “I visit Mayo often,” said Jim, an elected at Biden’s inauguration. local government commissioner. Next “This is historic for Mayo, of course, time he visits, he said, it could well be but all of Ireland can be thrilled to have with the new president for a double cel- such a friend in the White House. I’ve ebration. known Joe for many years. He’s a proud “There are many west Mayo folks in Mayo man but his Irishness isn’t senti- Nebraska and many hope to join Presi- mental. He’s always been prepared to dent Biden in Mayo — maybe also to work for peace on the island of Ire- celebrate Mayo winning the All-Ireland. land. Up Mayo!” “He weighed in on Brexit and joined The brutal march of Covid-19 across ON HOME GROUND Patti Mitchell with former Scranton Mayor Jim Connors in front of the house where Joe Biden House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Richie Neal, the country is curtailing inauguration lived in the city. Brendan Boyle and others in Congress celebrations in many US states but it is pledging there would be no US trade clearly not dampening the elation of the agreement with Britain if a border was Mayo diaspora. restored in Northern Ireland. That com- “We will be holding a socially distanced mitment made a huge difference for Ire- inauguration celebration of the Mayo land in the outcome of the negotia- Irish in Nebraska. This is a new and tions.” hopeful day for America and Ireland and the rest of the world. We are confident Restricted plans President Biden will unite America to Biden himself plans to kick off the inau- fight the Covid pandemic, rebuild our guration festivities by making his way to nation and restore our close relationship Washington today (January 19) on a fam- with Ireland and our other friends and ily train trip from his home in Dela- allies around the world.” I expect that ware. Another proud Mayo man celebrating He is planning to stay tonight in a Wash- the inauguration is New York lawyer Ireland West ington hotel, people familiar with his Brian O’Dwyer, whose late father, Paul, plans say, and will then move to the White left Bohola 100 years ago with $25 in his Airport will have House tomorrow night or in the days pocket and as he said, ‘a single suit of the honour of immediately following after it has been clothes on my back and a straight thoroughly cleaned because of the strict razor’. hosting Air Force coronavirus protocols he follows. Later he went on to become President The last inauguration I attended, that of New York City Council and commis- One as it lands in of President Obama in 2009, saw over sioner to the United Nations. Mayo two million people throng the city from “As a Mayo man I am very excited about dawn to see the country’s first Black Joe Biden’s presidency,” said Brian. “He - Brian O’Dwyer president being sworn into office. is one of our own, a true Mayo man, But this year the size of the celebrations warm and generous. I was thrilled to see will be ‘extremely limited’, the Biden a man whose people came from just a team says, and urged people to avoid few miles away from my people make it But there’s good news for Galway, too. travelling to the capital. Instead of the to the presidency of the United States.” The whole of the west is set to benefit usual parade down Pennsylvania Avenue from a surge in tourism in the years ahead to the White House, organisers say they Key role because of the Biden presidency, Brian will host a ‘virtual parade’ across the Brian himself played a key role in the predicted. US. Biden victory as co-chair of the Irish for “Joe Biden is acutely aware of his Mayo Glittering inaugural balls and other Biden campaign. roots and there is no doubt that there celebrations will follow, although party- “The only thing that would have made will be a major increase in tourism to ing though the night will not be possible the year better would have been if Sam Mayo and the west of Ireland as Ameri- this year due to Covid. Maguire came home to Mayo. But you cans visit the new president’s ancestral But while the Mayo diaspora may not can’t have everything!” home.” be able to cheer him on in the capital, It was a sentiment echoed by the new In the meantime, “when it is safe to do they will be watching on TV and celebrat- president when he named Boston Mayor so after Covid, you can expect Irish- ing at home as their ‘Mayo President’ Marty Walsh as his labour secretary, jok- American Democrats to be hosting one ‘OVER THE MOON’ James land West Airport and I not only expect blazes a trail into history side by side ing ‘the only downside is Marty’s not hell of a hooley to honour our Mayo Cavanaugh, Omaha, to have President Biden coming home with Kamala Harris, the first woman and from Mayo! His parents are from Gal- President. Nebraska. Pic: Debra S. Kaplan to Mayo, I expect that Ireland West Air- first Black and Asian-American to be way.’ “I’m the international chairman of Ire- port will have the honour of hosting Air elected US vice president.

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