The Chair of the International Fund for Ireland has said the possibility of Donegal hosting a visit from US President Joe Biden in April cannot be ruled out.
Paddy Harte’s comments come amid growing speculation that Mr. Biden may include Donegal on his itinerary when he visits Ireland after Easter.
The visit is to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. The full details of the US President’s itinerary have yet to be confirmed. He is due to come to Ireland for five days in the week after Easter and it’s thought he may spend two days in Belfast on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 11th and 12th.
It’s expected that he will also pay visits to Co Mayo and Co Louth where he has family connections.
Earlier this month, Congressman Brendan Boyle – the son of Glencolmcille native Francis Boyle – said he hoped for Donegal to be a stop on the tour.
“The only campaigning I’ll be doing while I’m there is trying to get him to go up to Donegal and meet with my aunts in Mayo,” Congressman Boyle said.
Paddy Harte, Chairperson, International Fund for Ireland
Chair of the International Fund for Ireland Paddy Harte visited Washington during St. Patrick’s week and met with Mr Biden during a visit to the White House.
“It was a brief meeting but it was really good to speak with him,” Mr Harte told Donegal Daily.
Asked about the possibility of the US President coming to Donegal when in Ireland, he said nothing could be ruled out.
“Nobody on this island has any idea what the President’s itinerary will be,” he said.
“Other than he will be in Belfast and Dublin and probably Mayo, you just don’t know. It will be up to him.”