(CNSNews.com) - The American president waxed sentimental about his Irish roots on Wednesday at a community gathering in Dundalk, Ireland, saying, "coming here feels like coming home."
"Well, it feels like home," Biden said at the beginning of his speech.
"I said last time I was here, in a sense I know why my ancestors and many of your relatives left during the famine. And -- but you know, when you're here, you wonder why anyone would ever want to leave. No, I mean it, so it's good to be back."
Biden noted that he brought along his sister Valerie and his son Hunter on a trip that is more personal than policy-dominated: "Stand up, guys," he said. "I'm proud of you."
"And I wish our mom, Catherine Eugenia Finnegan Biden, were here today. She’d be so damn proud. You know — and she — Louth held such a special place in her heart, and it really did.
"And today, we carry her home in our heart. For real. We think about her all the time. And coming here feels like coming home, and it really does. The way — every time I’ve come, the welcome, the people on the streets. They’re just so — so gracious to us.
"And earlier today, I had a chance to visit another special place: Carlingford Castle. High in the hill, the castle that was likely one of the last glimpses that the — that the Finnegan family saw when they set sail for America. And they set sail with courage and hope, and they crossed the sea.
"And — and through generations, the Finnegans brought this island home from Ireland to Scranton, Pennsylvania, where — where we were raised — where I was raised, I should say, and my mother lived.
"And as a matter of fact, I’m going to be heading to the other end — the side of the island to the — to Mayo because my — my mother’s — my grandmother’s maiden name was Blewitt. And the Blewitts are from Mayo.
"And we brought over the — the mayor of Scranton because it’s a sister city to — to Mayo.
"And — but my Grandpa Finnegan would also say — every time we walked out, I — we’d talk about background and heritage, he’d say — he’d go, “Remember, Joey, the best drop of blood in you is Irish.” (Laughter.) Oh, you all think I’m kidding? (Laughter.) I’m not kidding. I’m not kidding.
"And he’d never been to Ireland, but he raised his family with a fierce pride in our Irish ancestry..."
Biden talked about his granddaughter being named "Finnegan." And he talked about the Irish "being the only people in the world...who are actually nostalgic about the future."
"I think we all are, no matter where we live, if we have Irish blooded in us. And it's because more than anything, more than anything in my experience, hope is what beats in the heart of all people, and particularly in the heart of the Irish, hope. Every action is about hope, we can make things better..."
Biden said his message to the Irish people is to "keep the faith," and he talked about lessons learned from his parents -- about "possibilities," "the power of faith," and the "promise of hope":
"And so, as my mother would say, that's the Irish of it. That's the Irish of it. Whenever we'd say something was unusual, she'd say, 'Joey, that's the Irish of it.' That is the Irish of it. I'm so proud to be here, so proud to be in Louth..."
Biden pointed out the tie he was wearing, one with shamrocks on it:
"I wear it with great pride. And so, thank you all for the homecoming welcome. The bad news for all of you is: We’ll be back. (Laughter.) There’s no way to keep us out. But thank you, thank you, thank you. We love you," Biden told his Irish audience.