Ireland's relatives of Biden react to inauguration

As the US gets ready to swear in its 46th president Joe Biden the excitement can be felt across the world, but maybe none more so than in the small Irish town of Ballina.The president-elect has family connections in Ireland and in particular the community of Ballina.That's where his fourth cousin Joe Blewitt lives and on Wednesday in anticipation for Biden's swearing in, Blewitt was out with his daughter's proudly waving their US flag in support.

"This is a great day for Ballina and for our family," Blewitt said.

For Joe to be sworn in as the 46th president of America is, for Ballina alone, will help so much for tourism and stuff like that.

Flags have been put up outside shops and pubs in the town while a large mural of Biden been put up on a wall.

Blewitt said he had already been in touch with Biden to congratulate him on behalf of the people of Ballina.

Biden swears the oath of office at noon Wednesday, taking the helm of a deeply divided nation and inheriting a confluence of crises arguably greater than any faced by his predecessors.

In his first hours as president, he will aim to strike at the heart of President Donald Trump’s policy legacy, signing a series of executive actions that reverse his predecessor’s orders on immigration, climate change, and handling of the pandemic.