President Biden will reportedly visit Ireland to mark Good Friday Agreement's 25th anniversary

Initial planning has begun for US president Joe Biden to visit Ireland this coming April to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

Senior sources said Mr Biden is likely to visit Belfast, Dublin, and Co Mayo on an official State visit.

“President Biden will be coming to Ireland this year, the question is of when but April is being looked at," a senior source said to the Irish Examiner.

“Discussions are underway about Mr Biden coming in April to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement," the source added, further mentioning that "nothing is confirmed yet but talks have begun on the matter.“

A range of hotels in the west of Ireland have been identified as possible places for President Biden to stay during his visit. For his trip to Dublin, he is expected to stay at the US Ambassador's residence in Phoenix Park.

It is understood that the Democratic leader would likely visit Mayo in a more "informal capacity." A visit to Belfast could also be dependent on the restoration of the Stormont Executive.

According to a spokesperson for Micheál Martin, the US President expressed a wish to visit Ireland during previous discussions with the Tanáiste.

“President Biden’s travel arrangements are obviously a matter for him. He always has an open invitation to visit Ireland and the President has expressed a wish to come,” the spokesperson added.

Joe Biden has previously stated that he would like to visit both Ballina (Co Mayo) and Carlingford (Co Louth) to meet his relatives in both counties.

The last time he visited Ballina was in 2016, where he met and greeted the locals before dining with his relatives, the Blewitt family.

Mr Biden recently made an unannounced visit to Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a show of solidarity just days before the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of the country.

One year later, Kyiv stands. Ukraine stands. Democracy stands. America — and the world — stands with Ukraine.

Рік потому Київ стоїть. Україна стоїть. Демократія стоїть. Америка – і світ – стоїть з Україною. pic.twitter.com/6i02u3aFgd

— President Biden (@POTUS) February 20, 2023