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US President Joe Biden wrapped up his Ireland tour on April 14 with an address to a crowd of tens of thousands in Balllina, County Mayo, the home of several of the president’s Irish ancestors and living relatives.

Biden used his farewell speech outside St Muredach’s cathedral in Ballina to highlight his personal connection to the area, as well as the shared values between Ireland and America.

“Over the years stories of this place have become part of my soul, part of my family lore,” he said. Biden added that he and his siblings were raised with “a fierce pride in our Irish ancestry”.

Accepting a label bestowed by locals — “Mayo Joe, son of Ballina” — Biden invoked traditional values, telling the crowd “our strength is something that overcomes everyday hardships, and above all our courage allows us to march forward in faith. Family is the beginning, middle and the end – that’s the Irish of it.”

Biden concluded his speech with the rallying cry, “Mayo for Sam!” – a reference to the county’s decades-long desire to win the Sam Maguire Cup in the All-Ireland Gaelic football final.

The president was expected to return to the US on Saturday. Credit: The White House via Storyful