Musical acts announced for President Biden's visit to Mayo
Irish rock bands The Coronas and The Academic and legendary Irish folk band The Chieftains will be among the musical acts to perform in Ballina on Friday (April 14) prior to a public address by US President Joe Biden.
US Ambassador Claire D. Cronin said: “I am delighted to announce that Irish bands The Coronas and The Academic and six-time Grammy Award-winning Irish folk band The Chieftains will be among those playing for President Biden and our Irish guests in Ballina on Friday night.
“The Chieftains played for President Biden when he visited Ireland in 2016. This reunion of the band and President Biden will be an emotional one since we lost the legendary Paddy Moloney in 2021.
“I am honoured to say that The Chieftains will reunite one last time in honour of President Biden and play together for the first time since Paddy’s passing.”
Ambassador Cronin continued: “I visited Ballina earlier this week, and the excitement and anticipation is palpable. This will be a once in a generation event, and I hope families and friends across the country will come to see the President of the United States speak in one of the places where his Irish family’s American journey began.”
This outdoor event is free and open to the public. Anyone wishing to attend should register online here or at ie.usembassy.gov to receive additional information.
Gates open at 5.30 p.m. and the official programme starts at 7 p.m. Guests should enter the event at the junction of Barrett and Tolan Streets or the junction of Dillon Terrace and Lower Pearse Street. All guests should be prepared for security screening similar to airport screening. Large bags and umbrellas will not be permitted.
A limited free shuttle bus service will be provided to and from the event and available on a first come, first served basis. Shuttles will begin departing park-and-shuttle locations at 4.30 p.m. The last shuttle to the event will depart at 7 p.m. Return shuttles can be picked up at the pre-event drop-off location and will begin when the evening’s programme concludes.
The locations are: Zone 1 – Knockmore GAA car park, drop-off and return at junction of James Street and Hill Street; Zone 2 – Castleconnor Community Centre car park, drop-off and return at Bunree Industrial Estate; Zone 3 – Crossmolina town, drop-off and return at Mercy Road; Zone 4 – North Ballina, McVann Furniture on the Killala Road, drop-off and return at Bohernasup.