There has been high praise for President Joe Biden from Irish leaders on both sides of the Atlantic since the president's announcement that he will not be running for a second term.
In the U.S., the Irish American Democrats said in a statement: "President Biden’s decision to not seek reelection confirms our faith in the man.
"After a stunning term that provided a much needed revival of America's infrastructure, a reduction in prescription drug prices as well as regaining America's standing in the world, his decision, as he himself wrote, was for the good of the party and the good of the country.
"As Irish Americans we are enormously proud of his accomplishments as well as his leadership in healing a broken country and a broken economy after the Covid pandemic.
"We were privileged to be with President Biden as he made his pilgrimage to the land of his forefathers. At each stop he reinforced the qualities of our people, hard work, learning and a commitment to bettering the lives of others. We were with him in Knock and Ballina, Mayo as he emphasized the faith and resilience of the immigrants fleeing the great hunger as well as subsequent generations that left Ireland for the golden shores of America.
"We have been inspired not just by his rhetoric but by his actions. This country is far better off having 'Scranton Joe' as its President. Each American owes him a debt of gratitude, each Irish American owes him so much more. He has once again shown to America that the values of Irish America, transmitted to American government, results in a better country for all.
"We are inspired that President Biden has chosen Vice President Harris to carry on his work. We wholeheartedly support her in her quest to maintain and further the work of the Biden Harris administration and will do our utmost in the coming months to assure her election to continue the job that Joe Biden has so amply fulfilled."
The statement was issued by IAD co-chairs Stella O'Leary and Brian O'Dwyer.
"Irish Americans For Biden" also praised the president while pivoting to his now expected successor as Democratic presidential candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris.
Said the group's statement: "Joe Biden is a great President who has devoted his whole life to serving our country. He will be remembered as the most impactful President in modern history, saving us from a terrible recession and epidemic, and creating a record number of new jobs.
"We as Irish Americans are particularly indebted to him as a founding member of the Congressional Friends of Ireland in 1980, and for his unwavering support of the Good Friday Agreement during the perilous times since Brexit, including his support of Northern Ireland by appointing Joe Kennedy III as U.S. Special Envoy.
"Irish Americans are justly proud of Joe Biden, the most Irish President ever, personifying all of our best qualities of patriotism, faith, honesty, decency, hard work, and respect for all.
"Joe Biden is a hero, period. In stepping aside, President Biden has shown how much and how genuinely he loves and wants to preserve democracy.
"Many of us were honored to be with President Biden as he returned “home” to Mayo and Louth last year. We sincerely hope that he will make a valedictory return to the land of his forefathers to receive the richly deserved appreciation of the Irish people
"We now honor Joe Biden's legacy by enthusiastically endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for President. We know that Vice President Harris will carry on President Biden's legacy and are confident that she will not only build on his accomplishments, but will continue his commitment to Ireland and the peace process.
"Accordingly, as Irish Americans for Harris, we will do our utmost to elect Kamala Harris as President to preserve America's hard-won democracy and to ensure a better future and economic prosperity for all Americans."
