Day 1: Louth

President Joe Biden landed in Dublin on the afternoon of Wednesday, 12 April.

He was welcomed by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and other delegates, along with US embassy staff and their children.

When asked how does it feel to be in Ireland, Mr President? He replied "Wonderful. It's like coming home."

While in County Louth, President Joe Biden visited Carlingford Castle and Dundalk town.

Carlingford Castle

The town of Carlingford, County Louth, is situated near Slieve Foye, the mountain that, according to legend, takes its form from the body of the sleeping giant Fionn MacCumhaill.

Carlingford Castle is a national monument built in the late 12th Century, most likely by the Norman baron Hugh de Lacy. Due to rebellion against the Crown, King John of England seized the property in 1210 and reportedly stayed in the castle personally. It is still known as King John’s Castle.

Dundalk

Dundalk, County Louth, lies approximately midway between Belfast and Dublin, close to the border with Northern Ireland.

The town came to be nicknamed the “Gap of Ulster” where the northernmost point of the province of Leinster meets the province of Ulster.

Throughout its history, Dundalk has been an important manufacturing and trading centre, with brewing, distilling, tobacco, textile, and engineering industries emerging during the 19th Century.

This legacy continues today, with the emergence of new industries including pharmacy, technology, and financial services over the last two decades.

Former President Bill Clinton visited Dundalk on 12 December 2000, with approximately 60,000 people gathering in the Market Square.

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