Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2023

April 13, 2023

President Biden. My grandfather used to have a saying that wasâfor a long time, I thought it was his and not Yeats. But it was Yeats's saying. And he said that, "Your feet will bring you to where your heart is."

President Higgins. [Inaudible]âwonderful. First Lady Sabina Higgins. [Inaudible] President Higgins. Absolutely.

First Lady Higgins. Your feet will bring you to where your heart is.

President Higgins. Absolutely. As they would say in Irishââ

[*At this point, President Higgins spoke briefly in Irish; no transcript was provided.*] *President Biden. *I can't come close to saying that. [*Laughter*]

President Higgins. We're so grateful for such a warm entry.

First Lady Higgins. I hope to do, I hope to do, I hopeâ[inaudible].

President Biden. Well, thank you. Thank you, thank you. It's wonderful to be back.

The President's Irish Heritage

Q. Mr. President, what are your quintessentially Irish characteristics? [Laughter]

President Biden. I'm not going to presume. I'll let others make that judgment. [Laughter]

Q. Do you have an update on the leak investigation?

[*President Biden, President Higgins, and First Lady Higgins posed for a photo.*] *President Biden. *Okay? Thank you, thank you, thank you.

We're going to go plant a tree.

The President's Guestbook Notes

Q. Mr. President, what did you write in the book?

President Biden. What I wrote in the book was, "As the Irish saying goes, 'Your feet will bring you where your heart is.'" And then I say, "It's aâit's an honor to return"âand I talk about returning again to the home of my ancestorsâ"to celebrate the things that bind Ireland and the United States and recommit ourselves to peace, equity, and"âI think the most Irish of words used in my family was "dignity"â"and dignity."

President Higgins. Dignity. So important.

President Biden. At any rate, thank you all very much.

And I'm not going home. I'm staying here because isn't this an incredible place? [*Laughter*] All you American reporters, looks just like the White House, right?

President Higgins. Mr. President. Fortunately, you'reâ[inaudible]. [Laughter]

President Biden. Thank you, man. Thank you. All right. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Going that way? Thank you, folks.

NOTE: The President spoke at 12:18 p.m. at the Ãras an UachtarÃ¡in, the official residence of the President of Ireland.

Categories: Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters, Dublin, Ireland; Meetings With Foreign Leaders and International Officials : Ireland, President Higgins.

Locations: Dublin, Ireland.

Names: Higgins, Michael D.; Higgins, Sabina.

Subjects: Ireland, President; Ireland, President Biden's visit; Ireland, relations with U.S.

DCPD Number: DCPD202300295.