A local woman in Dundalk was left delighted after grabbing the attention of the US President, Joe Biden, who approached her and kissed her hand earlier today.
The US president was greeting the crowd, signing autographs and taking pictures when he spotted the woman among the hundreds of other bystanders.
The US President asked her what her name was, and she responded, “Mary O’Rourke”.
READ MORE: US President Joe Biden leaves people in stitches with 'Black and Tan' gaffe
Mr. Biden kissed her hand before telling her “I’m Jean Finnegan’s son, how are you?”
The local responded in Irish saying “Ta me go maith, go raibh maith agat,” and added “ta failte romhat,” before explaining to the president what it meant.
Mr. Biden thanked the lady before heading off surrounded by his security to continue his meet and greet.
The Dundalk native later told the Irish Sun: “He came over and kissed my hand. He asked my name and he said ‘I am the great-grandson of Owen Finnegan’.
“I spoke to him as Gaeilge. I said Failte Romhat Dun Dealgan a Uachtarain. See I’m a Gealgoir. He looked at me and he said ‘yes, I’m the great-grandson of Owen Finnegan.’
“I was delighted. He did very well. He was a true gentleman. They were trying to move him on but he took his time and talked to us.”
Mary was with her family among thousands of others who waited for hours to see the President visit the place where his great-great grandfather Owen Finnegan was born.
READ NEXT:
Spain travel warning for holidaymakers as new beach rule introduced in 28 hotspots
Alarm raised after new Covid variant emerges as cases soar in India
Galway crash victim Lukas Joyce, 14, will be buried a day after his friend Kirsty Bohan
Former DUP leader Arlene Foster says US President Joe Biden 'hates the UK' as he visits Ireland
Surprise as Croke Park not included in final Euro 2028 Ireland and UK bid but Casement Park is
Get news updates direct to your inbox by signing up to our daily newsletter here
