Ireland prepares to welcome Biden, while keeping an eye on the health of Jimmy Carter and the Pope

Everyone has seen the helicopters. And all the locals in Carlingford, County Louth, seem to have a story about bumping into burly, suited Americans with earpieces running their eye over routes in and out of town.

On Wednesday the White House finally made it official, announcing that President Joe Biden will next week visit Louth, the Irish county of one branch of his ancestors, leaving just one question for excited residents. 

Will former President Jimmy Carter and the Pope survive the week so that Biden's happy homecoming is not overshadowed?

'It's been making headlines in Ireland here these past few days, the state of Jimmy Carter's health,' said Andrea McKevitt, a local councillor and distant Biden relation.

'It's really unfortunate and I think everyone in Louth and Ballina are hoping he makes it to next weekend.'

Ireland is holding its collective breath over the health of 98-year-old former President Jimmy Carter, for fear that his death could upend President Joe Biden's trip next week. At least Pope Francis is out of the woods after being hospitalized with bronchitis

Eamonn Thornton is a distant relative of Biden and is known for his van, emblazoned with messages of support for the president. He said Co. Louth is abuzz with excitement

Biden is due to fly into Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Tuesday. From there he will make his way to Dublin, capital of the Republic of Ireland.

Part of the trip will include visits to Louth on the east coast and to Ballina, in County Mayo, on the west, from where the two Irish parts of the Biden family left for America in the nineteenth century.

But this week rumors swirled that it could all be cancelled if Biden had to give the eulogy at a funeral for Carter, whose office recently announced he was receiving hospice care.

His health has become a major talking point for everyone. People bring it up in conversation without prompting.

'At least the Pope has made a recovery,' said John at Dublin airport's car rental desk, referring to Francis' bout of bronchitis. 'Miraculous you might say.'

National broadcaster RTE ran a radio segment discussing the 98-year-old former president's health. 

For now Biden's itinerary remains a secret. Or simply undecided. Leaving people in Carlingford and the tiny seaside village of Whitestown, where Biden's great-great grandfather Owen Finnegan once lived, desperate to know whether he will return to Lily Finnegan's pub, which he visited as vice president in 2016.

'We'd love to see him. It would be great to say the president of America has been here,' said Marie McGrath, 63, whose neat home with an Easter garland on the door is just across the road from the pub.

'My husband was talking to the barman there, and he didn't know last week,' she added. 'So we don't know if he's coming.'

Marie McGrath with a picture of her husband Michael meeting Biden on his 2016 pub, when they met the then vice president at the pub over the road from her Whitestown home

Biden met locals in Lily Finnegan's pub, which was once owned by his family. Biden is descended from Owen Finnegan who left the area in the mid-19th Century

She said she might be a fifth cousin of Biden, but can't be sure. She was among the lucky ones invited to the pub for the last visit.

'We all got down and got pictures taken,' she said. 'It was a lovely afternoon.'

Also there that day was Eamonn Thornton, 73, another distant cousin of one sort or another, who is well known locally for his van. 

It has been decorated with a message of support for Biden. 'From Whitestown Co. Louth to the White House, Washington,' it reads.

During the 2016 visit, he said Biden made a promise that few believed at the time.

'He said, I'll be back as president,' said Thornton with a chuckle. 'We were like ... all right .... okay. But it's coming to fruition now.' 

Biden arriving in County Mayo in 2016 during his last visit to Ireland in an official capacity. The then vice president spent six days in the country, visiting Dublin, Mayo and Louth

Joe Blewitt and his wife Deirdre drink champagne underneath a mural of their third cousin Joe Biden as locals celebrate Biden's election in the County Mayo town of Ballina in 2020

He said Biden was emotional during that visit and a later private trip, connecting with Irish relatives for the first time and visiting the ancient graveyard where his ancestors are buried.

This time will be no different, he said. Just so long as Carter stays healthy.

'People are saying can he just make it through next week?' he added.

For the people of Louth, the visit goes beyond the personal connection. The smallest of Ireland's counties butts up against the border with Northern Ireland.

That makes this year's anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement — which ended decades of political violence, known as the Troubles, as Republicans and Loyalists fought over the future of Northern Ireland — all the more important. 

McKevitt, who represents the party of Fianna Fail and was a guest at the White House St Patrick's Day celebration this year, said: 'Part of the reason for Biden's trip is to celebrate 25 years of the Good Friday Agreement, and we here are in a border County, right. 

'Many people have lived through and know what the Troubles are all about here.'

The overwhelming sense now is one of euphoria, she added.

'We've seen all the helicopters flying around the past couple of weeks, the Secret Service going to different places,' she said. 'I think that's even bringing a sense like it's Christmas Eve.'