President Joe Biden is set to be presented with two special ‘Biden Bodhrans’ by one of Ireland’s leading traditional musicians.
The bodhrans have been specially designed for President Biden ahead of his historic trip here next week by Eamon Walsh of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann.
The skilled bodhran player and world champion piper told the Mirror/Star about how he has written to the US Embassy here - as per official gifts protocol - to request they be allowed to present the beautiful musical traditional Irish musical instruments to the President when he visits Ballina.
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The leader of the free world will also be formally invited to return to Ireland for the Ballina Fleadh, which runs from June 23rd to July 2nd this year.
Mr Walsh has had some success with persuading American Presidents to back him.
In April 2000 former President Bill Clinton wrote a personal letter to Mr Walsh sending his “warm greetings” to musicians gathered for a cross-border peace process musical celebration.
Now, Mr Walsh has written to President Biden to tell him the Fleadh would be “honoured” if they got a “message of support to put in the official programme” from the President.
The musician and Comhaltas officer told the Mirror/Star: “We have two bodhrans, already completed, and the images have been especially created.
“We have the Fleadh coming to Ballina and we sent a letter to the (US) Embassy asking for permission to present the bodhran to the President when he comes to Ballina - I’m from Ballina.
“We also put in a letter of invitation to the event.
“We’ve asked for a message of goodwill towards the event as well and we’ve a good chance of getting that.
“We thought we could go through the Chamber of Commerce in Ballina, but apparently you have to go direct to the Embassy.
“So I’ve written to Ambassador (Claire) Cronin there.”
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