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Giving a speech in his unscheduled appearance, Biden spoke about immigrant experiences and Irish American history.
Former President Joe Biden, seen here speaking during a St. Patrick’s Day reception in 2024, made a surprise appearance Tuesday in Boston. Stephanie Scarborough/AP Photo
Former President Joe Biden joined a special celebration Tuesday morning in Boston for St. Patrick’s Day.
Biden made a surprise appearance at the Irish American Partnership’s St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast alongside former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin, who is also a former Massachusetts state representative. He was not scheduled to appear, according to Dorchester Reporter editor Bill Forry, who shared a photo of Biden at the event on X.
A St. Patrick’s Day surprise! President Joe Biden just took the stage at the Irish American Partnership’s St. Patrick’s Day breakfast in #Boston alongside former US Ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin. Biden was not scheduled to appear. pic.twitter.com/VdCEWjHxBO
— Bill Forry (@BillForry) March 17, 2026
The partnership, which works to connect Irish Americans to their heritage, held the celebration at the InterContinental Boston Hotel in the Seaport District. Biden received a standing ovation as he made his way to the podium to give a speech, The Boston Globe reported.
Biden’s speech focused on his Irish ancestors, who escaped the Great Famine in the mid-1850s and came to the United States as immigrants. In 2023, Biden visited Ballina, the Irish town from which one of his great-grandfathers emigrated in 1850.
Comparing his ancestors’ experience to immigration today, Biden alluded to the challenges that immigrants are facing amid President Donald Trump’s crackdown, the Globe reported.
“Let’s not lose sight of the bonds we share with today’s immigrants, families who are enduring fear and violence at the hands … of our government,” Biden said. “That’s not who we are. That’s not who America is.”
However, he mostly remained positive, urging Americans to “summon the Irish optimism about the world of unlimited possibilities,” according to the Globe. Biden also noted Boston’s importance to Irish American history, drawing reference to the 250th anniversary of Evacuation Day and the local traditions that have followed.
“Our ancestors, they knew America’s not a fairy tale. We’re not guaranteed a fairy tale ending,” Biden said. “But maybe it’s the Irish in me that’s led me to believe that the America of our dreams is always closer than we think.”
Gov. Maura Healey, who also has Irish immigrant ancestors, further embraced the connections between Massachusetts and Ireland, joking that Boston knows how to “celebrate St. Patrick’s Day better than anyone else in this country.” She also echoed Biden’s comments about immigration, calling on Americans with immigrant ancestors to reflect on their experiences, the Globe reported.
“We see immigrants being demonized, intimidated, and in many cases being treated so, so unjustly, and in ways that are truly un-American,” Healey said. “Many of our common ancestors did not receive the warmest welcome. Let us learn from our mistakes.”
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