FORMER US PRESIDENT Joe Biden was greeted with a warm welcome today when he made an unannounced appearance at an Irish-American breakfast event for St Patrick’s Day in Boston. 

Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee was also in attendance at the event, which was hosted by the Irish American Partnership, where she gave the keynote speech.

Irish astronaut Norah Patten also spoke at the breakfast, telling those gathered about how her research group – which is due to travel to space within the next 18 months – will be the first all-female group of researchers to ever do so. 

Similarly, Patten will be the first Irish person to travel to space. 

Norah Patten in Boston today. Norah Patten Norah Patten

Ahead of Biden’s appearance at the breakfast, rumours swirled that a heavy-hitter of a surprise guest was on the way. In hindsight, the Secret Service at the event should have been a dead giveaway. 

Biden, who has Irish roots tracing back to Co Louth and Mayo, gave a lengthy speech at the event, largely about his love of Ireland and the lessons his Irish heritage has taught him about democracy. 

“St. Patrick’s Day is about celebrating the bond of family and friendship among the Irish and Irish Americans,” Biden said.

Quoting Seamus Heaney, who he described as a friend, Biden centred his remarks on a message of hope for the future.

Governor of Massachusetts Maura Healey with Helen McEntee today. Office of Maura Healey Office of Maura Healey

“History says, don’t hope on this side of the grave. But then, once in a lifetime the longed-for tidal wave of justice can rise up, and hope and history rhyme,” Biden said.

While the President’s remarks did not stray too far into politics, he did take the opportunity to condemn how immigrant families are being treated today in the US and said they are “enduring fear, violence… separation at the hands of our government”.

“That’s not who we are,” the President said. 

Today marked a rare public appearance for the 83-year-old, who announced last year that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. 

Also speaking at today’s event was Governor of Massachusetts Maura Healey, who was sharp in her criticism of the US federal Government under President Donald Trump. 

“We are in a moment when so many people are trying to pull us apart, too much of our national politics is about dividing us, especially at a time when people are struggling with high costs and just looking for help,” she said. 

“We see immigrants being demonised, intimidated and in many cases treated so, so unjustly and in ways that are truly un-American and not who we are.

“It’s worth recalling that many of our ancestors did not receive the warmest welcome. Let us learn from our mistakes,” she said.