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LOCALS IN JOE Biden’s ancestral home of Ballina are celebrating his election as President of the United States.
The Democrat became president-elect this afternoon after securing the state of Pennsylvania, giving him the required 270 electoral college votes.
Ballina has been decked out in the famous stars and stripes in anticipation of his success.
Ballina local Joe Blewitt, a cousin of Biden, praised the president-elect’s approach compared with that of Donald Trump.
“Joe Biden is talking about policies, he’s meeting with all the health officials and he’s setting up a plan,” Blewitt said.
“The other man is still talking about himself. That was always the case with him. It wasn’t about the people, it was about himself.”
Blewitt, a heating and plumbing contractor, was invited to the White House in 2017, when Biden was awarded the congressional medal of freedom from then-president Barack Obama.
He is hoping he will be able to make it over again for the inauguration.
He said: “Hopefully we can go back over in January.”
The pair are in regular contact too, with Blewitt remarking: “They’re sound, they’re good people and he’s a really nice fella. He’s good to talk to.”
The festival atmosphere in Ballina on Saturday was a mark of how much Biden’s victory means to the town.
“He was here when he was vice president and the hype when he was here the last time was unbelievable. They’re so proud of him.
“Now he’ll be the President of the United States, they’re delighted, they’re absolutely delighted. To think one of their own is one of the most powerful men in the world,” Blewitt said.
Businesses all over the town, many of them closed due to lockdown restrictions, were all decked out in posters and American flags, while locals sipped champagne in celebration.
It was especially sweet for Beryl McCrainey Slevin, a California native who has lived in Ballina for over 15 years.
Her hope is that Biden will be able to reunite her homeland after a divisive four years under Trump.
She said: “I’m really, really hopeful. I’m hoping that after this election we can really work on building alliances with everyone in the country.
“We are all American and the ideals of America are so important globally, that I think it’s really important that we come together once again as a nation and continue the work of building the American dream for everyone.”
She added: “For me personally, it will bring back dignity to the White House. Hopefully it will bring about the necessary changes in terms of systemic racial problems that we’re having and have had historically in America.
“I also feel very strongly that Joe Biden is in a place now that he’s ready to do serious justice reform, police reform nationally.”
She met with Biden when he visited Ballina while serving as vice president and is looking forward to his return.
“The town just went bananas. It was just so exciting to have him here. Everybody was out, the children were out, schoolkids were out to greet the plane over at Knock.
“Really for all of Co Mayo it was amazing, but in particular for Ballina. You feel like he’s one of us, he’s one of our own” she said.
She added: “They were just warm, wonderful people. I’m excited for the town and the future of the town.
“I’m excited for America, even though I live here. It’s the country of my birth, and you always want the best for home. Absolutely, a double win.”
Meanwhile, Joe Blewitt is not ruling out the possibility of a Joe Biden plaza in Ballina – similar to the one built in Moneygall to honour Barack Obama when he visited his ancestral home.
“Yeah, we’ve got messages coming in now, where are we going to put it? It’s great craic” he said.
Biden’s great-great-great-grandfather Edward Blewit emigrated from the town almost 200 years ago, having worked as a brick-maker and as a civil engineer helping to map Ireland.
Ten of his 16 great-great grandparents were also born in Ireland.
A mural of Biden, which overlooks the main square in the old market town, was recently created by local artists Smiler Mitchell and Leslie Lackey.
After the unveiling, Biden pledged to revisit the town if he wins the election.
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Wot, no social distancing or masks in Ballina. New virus hotspot on way!
@PF: have a glass of wine or something
@PF: ya spelt Ballina wrong mate
@Damo: baa, baaa, baaaah. Arf!
@Damo:
Trumpbabycages SS
Wannabes
Are not good at spelling..
@PF: There was. Photographers and camera personnel asked those getting photos taken to remove masks as they were taken.
Looks like there’s no worry about pandemic in Ballina, by that photo
@dstaffx: They are clearly drinking a vaccine
@dstaffx: guess where one of the nursing homes the HSE were called into to assist with an outbreak last week is located.
Oh please can we not have another “Ronald Reagan” pub in Ballyporeen or “Barrack Obama” filling station in Offaly. It’s too embarrassing when we make a celebrity out of some fourth or fourteenth cousin of the US President. Let’s be happy he won but not turn ii into a Darby O’Gilll sequel!
@muirhill121: oh thank god you said it, i am cringing!
@muirhill121: No shortage of pubs in Ballina
@Victoria: why ? Would you not be proud of it,?
@muirhill121: it’s cringeworthy…we should be beyond that at this stage .
Chaps a fossil
@Mike Litterus: I’d say you couldn’t find your own name without an instruction manual. Your probably more of a Mike Hunt anyway
@Mike Litterus:
A mentally stable fossil.
Welcome to Ireland Joe!!!
Spent a while looking at a blow-up of the photo from Ballina. Very sad. Kids standing watching a grown man swigging booze out if a bottle on the street. Like something out of the 1950s
@Virus-free Turkey: quiet evening?
Lots people think it’s good news, I understand
But just don’t forget one thing, still over two months away from the new president, in this period, that country has the strongest military, 10 aircraft fleets, near 400 military bases around the world, over 6k nukes and a unpredictable president
If there is a big war happening… or accident war happens … what will be?
Also Biden, tell your people stay away and keep social distance please, ive seen people packed together and celebrating your victory, ffs, the covid is not gone yet, you will need fix that problem and it’s the biggest challenge when you are in power
@There is no hope for humanity!: yup. Your name says it all. Are you ALWAYS this pessimistic?? You must be some craic at a party. You HONESTLY think that this’ll kick of ww3? Get a grip….and and stop watching YouTube.
@There is no hope for humanity!: Trump does’nt pull the strings, any so called war would have to go through congress, you’ll even see Republican senators, aides etc. Distancing themselves from Trump now.
@The Kev in Kevlar: all I meant is still two months away, anything could happens, hope the best, Prepare for the worst
The WW 3 might not, I don’t want to see they have civil war as well, that is worried me lots
Specially trump, he is way too unpredictable, god knows what’s going to happen
The Mayo Blewitts are well known. The Blewitt in 89, 96, 97, 04, 06, 12, 13, 16 and 17.
@John Dublin: *THEY
Joe Blewit be living off this for the rest of his days
@Darren Lambe: Heard he’s done plenty of leaky business for the Ukrainians.
Congrats to Joe, comiserations to Donald. Irrespective of your political views,left, right, mid WHATEVER…accept it…GGs to all and hopefully everyone will be okay, and move forward.
@The Kev in Kevlar: Tell that to Trump
Jumping on the bandwagon
I can see it now.. another cringey plaza only this time the Joe Biden Plaza.
Mayo for Uncle Sam
@Finnster: yep. As well as the other Sam next month.
@Alex Marquis: keep dreaming
They’re delighted they’re getting a motorway plaza
Oh please can we not have another “Ronald Reagan” pub in Ballyporeen or “Barrack Obama” filling station in Offaly. It’s too embarrassing when we make a celebrity out of some fourth or fourteenth cousin of the US President. Let’s be happy he won but not turn ii into a Darby O’Gill sequel!
@muirhill121: you call it cringe but the people living in those villages call it tourism, jobs and improved income.
@Darren Lambe: the new Moneygall
Oh begosh and begorragh tis a great day for the oirish, tis indeed …..tis to be sure.
Wonder where his great great great great great grandparents where from.
@Rory Mackle: England
@Rory Mackle:
Knockmore outside Ballina
@Declan Sweeney: Good man Declan. Great year for Knockmore pandemic aside.
Ballina Plaaaaza, sounds about right.
Bull..it of the highest order.
Ah come on everyone. There hasn’t been a lot to be happy about in Ballina in 2020 no more than any other town in Ireland and of course it’s pure shlock but what the hell. Biden was in Ballina/Knockmore in 2017 and really seemed to enjoy himself. Just pass over the story if it bothers you so much.
Wexford has made an industry from their connections with the President JF Kennedy. There is the 400 acre Kennedy Memorial Park, the Kennedy Homestead in Dunganstown ,, The Magnificent Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge, the Statue of JFK on Quays in New Ross ,with the Emigrant flame and the Dunbrody Famine Ship nearby. It was JFK’s Great Great Great Grandfather Patrick Kennedy who emigrated to America in 1849, he married Bridget Murphy ,a local girl from the same area who followed him to Boston. They had 5 Children. After only 10 years Patrick Kennedy died at the age of 35 so it was his wife Bridget who was left to bring up the children , it was her hard work and effort that ensured the children prospered in life. The Bridge should have been named in her honour not Rose In my opinion.
@Aine O Connor: Joe Biden’s mother was a Finnegan, her grandfather was born in Lordship Co. Louth 1820, not GGG grandparents, grandfather, why should Ballina get all the publicity?
@Brendan O’Donoghue:
Exactly my point , even though Bridget Murphy was born only a few miles from Patrick’s Kennedy’s home she is hardly ever mentioned and without her there would be no Kennedy’s.
Same goes for the Finnegans.
New service station for Ballina so
CUE THE BALLINA PLAZA
Great to see Mayo finally win something
I’m an American who lives in Ireland going on 3 years. I raised 500 euro for cancer while here. I’ve already done more for Ireland than Joe Biden has done in 50 years in politics.
President Trump built a golf course in Ireland and provided jobs and tourist dollars. Can anyone in Ireland tell me what Joe Biden did for Mayo the past 50 years he’s been in office? Anyone?
Blewit you are a go use your influence for the good of the old sod
Go EE s
Not good.no distance
have your say