Richard Nixon arrived into Shannon airport on the 3rd of October 1970. The timing of the visit was poor as the Vietnam War was not well received by the Irish, who came out to protest during the president's visit. As is a common feature of state visits to Ireland, particularly for U.S. presidents, Nixon was welcomed to his ancestral home of Timahoe, Co. Kildare. His Irish ancestors were Quakers who, like so many others, left Ireland in the 18th century. He was presented with documentary evidence of his Irish ancestry during his visit. Nixon then travelled to Dublin where he was welcomed by DeValera at Arás an Uachtaráin, followed by a banquet at Dublin Castle thus bringing his Irish visit to a formal close.
3rd October 1970
Several U.S. presidents have visited Ireland throughout the years. In October 1970, Richard Nixon made his official state visit to Ireland whilst he was serving as the 37th President of the United States.
