It's day one of Joe Biden's visit to the island of Ireland.
Air Force One landed at Belfast International Airport around 21.25 on Tuesday night, with Joe Biden greeted off the plane by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, before being whisked into the city centre.
Joe Biden arriving to cheers into Belfast city centre pic.twitter.com/zkyfbPHwR8
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) April 11, 2023
On Wednesday, the US President will make a speech today marking the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. With Stormont not functioning, his speech will be delivered at the new campus of Ulster University.
The trip comes as the threat level in Northern Ireland has increased from substantial to severe.
Afterwards, he's expected to meet the leaders of the north's political parties and press the need for a resumption of power-sharing in Northern Ireland.
Louth
Joe Biden will then travel south of the border with his formal events on Wednesday centring on Co. Louth.
A visit to Carlingford Castle is planned before arriving in Dundalk for a walkabout where he'll meet members of the public on Clanbrassil Street.
Big Day ahead for Dundalk!
Thousands of people will be either side of Clanbrassil Street later this afternoon to see @POTUS walk down our Main Street.
He’s due to travel to Carlingford and then Dundalk by mid-afternoon! pic.twitter.com/PG0x8WzDMV
— Senator John McGahon (@John_McGahon) April 12, 2023
Large numbers of people are expected in Dundalk and they're advised to be in place for 5.30 pm. Tight security will be in operation and people are being advised not to carry bags of any sort.
Traffic restrictions
Traffic management measures are in place for security reasons,
These include parking restrictions and road closures in Carlingford until after his departure on Wednesday.
- Public Car Park – Tourist Office
- Dundalk Street
- North Pier
- Newry Street
- Old Quay Lane
- Castle Hill & Back Lane
- R173 Greenore Road
Further road closures on access routes, R173, R175, and R176, to Carlingford, north and south of the village, will be implemented this morning.
There will also be similar parking restrictions and road closures in Dundalk:
- Barrack Street
- Seatown Place
- Jocelyn Street
- Roden Place
- Crowe Street
- Clanbrassil Street
- Market Square
- Francis Street
- Park Street
- Dublin Road
The M1 motorway is to remain unaffected.
There will also be traffic restrictions along the R173, R175, and N52 between Carlingford and Dundalk from 6 pm.
Gardaí say they are working to ensure that the nature and scale of the operation "continue to be proportionate to the need to protect everyone's safety."
Members of the public travelling in the affected areas are asked to plan their journeys to ensure they leave enough time for possible traffic disruptions and to expect localised delays.
REMINDER - DUNDALK DIVERSIONS listed below. ROAD CLOSURES in Dundalk from until 10pm tonight at
Church St., Clanbrassil St. Market Square. Crowe St. Roden place.
ROAD CLOSURES also in CARLINGFORD VILLAGE but R173 through road open until time of visit of @POTUS https://t.co/c8tEdlIUOW— Louth County Council (@louthcoco) April 12, 2023
