Supporters of Joe Biden gathered in his ancestral homeplace to show their support for the Democrat candidate tonight.
Locals organised a ‘Ridin’ with Biden’ motor cavalcade through the town, describing it as “a last-minute push” to get their man into The White House.
They got their inspiration from similar events that have been held in the United States in recent weeks.
Mr Biden’s great, great, great grandfather left Ballina over 160 years ago. His descendant has visited the town on a number of occasions in recent years and supporters are hoping they can welcome him back as the 46th US president in the coming months.
Local Councillor Mark Duffy said there was tremendous excitement in north Mayo at the prospect of one of their own making it to the highest office in American politics.
He said locals were hopeful that the Democratic Party’s candidate would prevail after polls close in a number of hours.
Mr Biden’s distant cousins, Joe and Laurita Blewitt, have been keeping the campaign appraised of the support for their relative in the west of Ireland.
Ms Blewitt said the mood among those working at the heart of the campaign was one of nervousness, mixed with confidence today. She said it had been a long and difficult few months for all concerned, especially given the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
In Ballina, supporters completed several circuits of the town this evening before gathering at a mural of Mr Biden, which was erected in recent months.