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JOE BIDEN’S SUPPORTERS in his ancestral home in the west of Ireland are confident that they will welcome him as the new president of the United States.
As the Democrat approaches the White House, residents of Ballina, Co Mayo, are already planning to roll out the red carpet for his return.
Biden’s great-great-grandfather, Edward Blewit, emigrated from the city nearly 200 years ago, having worked as a brick maker and civil engineer helping map Ireland.
The townspeople now hope that Biden can follow in his ancestor’s footsteps by putting Ballina on the map.
Ten of his 16 great-great-grandparents were also born in Ireland.
Local artists Smiler Mitchell and Leslie Lackey recently created a Biden mural, which overlooks the main square of the old market.
After the inauguration, Biden vowed to revisit the city if he wins the election.
Source: PA
He first visited Ballina in June 2016 as the US Vice President, and met with several family members, including Joe and Laurita Blewit.
Blewit said he believes his cousin will be the next president of the United States.
He added: “It will be unreal for the family. I have seen it three or four times and meeting someone who is going to be president of the United States is unreal.
“I was at the White House a few years ago and it was a great place to be, so I can’t wait to go back.
“I’m sure he will win, although on Tuesday I wasn’t really sure if he would win, but I hope tonight he will.
“It’s great for Ballina, the mural has attracted a lot of attention. We sent him a photo of the mural, he couldn’t get over it.
“In fact, he stole my line and wrote at his home in Scranton, Pennsylvania ‘from my house to the White House.’
“Everyone at Ballina is proud of him.”
Anthony Heffernan, owner of Heffernan’s Fine Foods, with photographs of him hosting Joe Biden
Source: PA
Anthony Heffernan, owner of Heffernan Cafe and Butchers in Market Square, welcomed Biden and about 20 of his entourage in 2016.
“Mr. Biden came here on a family visit and gathered about 22 of his distant relatives and had lunch with them to get to know them,” he said.
“They chose our building because it was safe. The sniffer dogs went through the building, it was very exciting.
“The Bidens were lovely people, they just wanted to talk about Ballina and discover the history of the city and what it was like when their family was here.
“Everyone is very interested and paying a lot of attention to the elections, we are quite sure that he will enter, although I do not think Trump will give up easily.
“I think Joe Biden spoke very well on Wednesday night.
“He has told his relatives here that he will return when he becomes president.”
One of Biden’s distant relatives, Bernie Finan, has met with the Democrat twice.
“I first met him when he was coming down the main street and he was shaking hands with everyone and I talked to him and told him that we are related,” he said.
“I asked him if he would mind if I contacted him when he returned to the United States and he said it would be fine.
“He seems nice, a simple man of the people and that is reflected in the vote in recent days.
“I’ve been watching it very closely, I turned on the radio when I went to bed and then I spent most of yesterday and today listening to it.
“It’s getting a little closer and I heard bookies gave it three to one and bookies rarely make a mistake.
“Biden and the razzle glare have been good for Ballina. Hopefully it will be more useful in the future as it is a beautiful city. “
Among many of the locals flying the presidential candidate’s flag was Maria Bourke of Knockmore.
She said: “We hope that Biden wins it and not the other one (Donald Trump).
“I think the whole world wants Biden to win.
“Ballina will go crazy and I hope there are no restrictions when he comes to visit as the whole town will go crazy.
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“Everyone will be delighted, he is more normal than the other man. Biden is more of a family man.
“People want a leader that they can relate to and see as a family man.”
Maria Bourke (right), from Knockmore, poses for her friend Tricia Mullen
Source: PA
Biden Supporter Aobha Brennan (8)
Source: PA
Local Tricia Mullen said: “We’ve been following him closely these last few days and I’m dying to see who wins.
“My children are waking me up early in the morning so that I can follow what is happening.”
Also among Biden’s fans is eight-year-old Aobha Brennan, who hopes to one day welcome him back to her hometown.
She said: “I want him to win because he is a good man.
“I would love to meet him. I’ve been watching him on my television. He just needs a few more votes to win and I’ll be very excited.”
Mary, who declined to give her last name, said Biden is likely to return to the county as president.
She was among thousands of people on the streets to greet the Bidens in 2016.
“I spoke with him and shook his hand, it was very exciting, he said.
“Joe Biden came with his entourage and his security. I was expecting all of his bodyguards to push us behind a line, but there was none of that.
“It was very laid back, like Biden.
“I was walking down the street and talking to everyone and there were no problems.
“It was a very exciting day for everyone. He was all smiles and we are all smiles.
“Everyone is excited to see what happens next.”
Source: TheJournal.ie/YouTube
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