Presidential Visit

Tour de force: Biden basks in whistlestop homecoming

In spite of the feel-good factor of his obvious regard for Ireland, the US president’s visit will have had little impact on the stalemate in Belfast other than to put British backs up

Joe Biden’s carefully managed trip offered no organised opportunities for the press to question him, so he was free to keep to his own script. Picture: Fergal Phillips

When John F Kennedy became the first American president to address the Dáil in 1963, he noted that Leinster House had provided inspiration to Irish-American architect James Hoban when he was designing the White House.

“I have no doubt that he believed by incorporating several features of the Dublin style, he would make it more homelike for any president of Irish descent. It was a long wait, but I appreciate his efforts,” Kennedy said.

The ...