Joe Biden mixes up All Blacks and the notorious Black and Tans

US President uses name of killer militia for the New Zealand rugby team

US President Joe Biden makes his point on Wednesday with Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister, or Tanaiste, Micheal Martin. Photo: Government of Ireland

For the first two days of Joe Biden’s trip to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, the US President had largely stuck to the script, avoiding making any of the gaffes he is so famous for.

And then it came.

Speaking seemingly off the cuff in a bar in a Republican border town on Wednesday night, Mr Biden, who has Irish roots, described to the audience how he felt like he had come home.

Referring to a shamrock tie he received from distant relative, former Irish rugby player Rob Kearney, the President mixed up the nickname of the New Zealand team.

He said: “See this tie I have, this shamrock tie?

“It was given to me by one of these guys right here, who's a hell of a rugby player who beat the hell out of the Black and Tans.”

He meant the All Blacks, but in confusing the two names, he mistakenly referred to a division of part-time officers recruited to bolster the Royal Irish Constabulary during the War of Independence.

In 1920, the force was responsible for a massacre that saw 14 killed and 60 wounded at a Gaelic football match in Dublin.

Mr Biden smiled broadly and pivoted to the rugby clash, which took place in the US.

“But it was when you were at Soldier Field, wasn't it? Chicago,” he said, referring to the location of where he received the tie from Kearney.

“After it was all over he gave my brother, allegedly for me — but if it wasn't I still took it — I still got the tie. I wore it with great pride.”

Mr Biden arrived in the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday for a three-day visit billed as a homecoming for a US President who prides himself on his Irish ancestry.

The President is famously gaffe-prone and once even admitted it. 'I am a gaffe machine,” he said during the 2020 presidential campaign.

“But my God what a wonderful thing compared to a guy who can’t tell the truth.”

US President Joe Biden visits the Republic of Ireland — in pictures

US President Joe Biden is welcomed by Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Farmleigh House in Dublin. AFP

Mr Biden stands for the US national anthem at the Irish President's official residence Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin. Getty

Irish President Michael Higgins watches as Mr Biden rings the Peace Bell. PA

Mr Higgins and his wife Sabina walk with Mr Biden at Aras an Uachtarain. PA

Mr Biden plants a tree at Aras an Uachtarain. PA

Mr Biden shakes hands with Mr Higgins in Dublin. Reuters

Mr Biden inspects the guard of honour at the Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin. AFP

Mr Biden with Mr Higgins and his wife Sabina at Aras an Uachtarain. AP

Mr Biden with Irish Tanaiste Micheal Martin, to his left, during a visit to the Food House in Dundalk in Ireland on Wednesday. EPA

An illuminated Samuel Beckett Bridge in Dublin during the US president's visit to the Ireland capital. Getty

People line the streets as Mr Biden tours Dundalk. AP

President Biden interacts with children in Dundalk. Reuters

Mr Biden speaks at the Windsor Bar and Restaurant in Dundalk on April 12. AP

People welcome Mr Biden as he arrives by car in Dundalk, County Louth, on April 12. EPA

Mr Biden's motorcade arrives in Dundalk. PA / AP

Mr Biden with Mr Martin at Carlingford Castle. PA

Mr Biden takes a selfie while walking through Dundalk. PA

Mr Biden waves to the crowd gathered for his arrival in Dundalk. Getty

Mr Biden is greeted by family and friends of US embassy staff at the fire station at Dublin Airport. EPA

US President Joe Biden is greeted by American embassy staff and their families on his arrival at Dublin Airport. AFP

Families of US embassy staff hold placards welcoming Mr Biden. Reuters

Mr Biden is greeted by Ireland's Prime Minister Leo Varadkar at the Dublin Airport. Reuters

Mr Biden encountered some inclement weather on his arrival at Dublin. AFP

Hunter Biden holds the umbrella for his father Joe Biden. Reuters

Mr Biden descends the steps of the aircraft at Dublin. Reuters

Air Force One arrives in Dublin. AP

In one of his latest mistakes in November he briefly mixed up the war in Ukraine with that in Iraq when talking about inflation.

“They talk about inflation … inflation is a worldwide problem right now because of a war in Iraq and the impact on oil and what Russia's doing. I mean, excuse me, the war in Ukraine,” Mr Biden said at a campaign event in Florida.

In 2010, the President forgot which of the-then Irish prime minister’s parents had died.

“His mum lived in Long Island for 10 years or so, God rest her soul,” he said.

“Although she’s, wait. Your mum’s still alive. It was your dad that passed. God bless her soul. I gotta get this straight.”

And in 2008 during the presidential election campaign, Mr Biden, who was then the vice-presidential nominee, asked Chuck Graham, who is paraplegic after a car accident he had at age 16, to stand up.

“Stand up, Chuck, let them see you,” said Mr Biden. “Oh, God love you, what am I talking about? I tell you what, you’re making everybody else stand up though, pal.

“You can tell I’m new.”