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

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


Gillian Duncan
  • English
  • Arabic

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
    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
    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
    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 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 plants a tree at Aras an Uachtarain. PA
  • Mr Biden shakes hands with Mr Higgins in Dublin. Reuters
    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 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 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
    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
    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
    People line the streets as Mr Biden tours Dundalk. AP
  • President Biden interacts with children in Dundalk. Reuters
    President Biden interacts with children in Dundalk. Reuters
  • Mr Biden speaks at the Windsor Bar and Restaurant in Dundalk on April 12. AP
    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
    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's motorcade arrives in Dundalk. PA / AP
  • Mr Biden with Mr Martin at Carlingford Castle. PA
    Mr Biden with Mr Martin at Carlingford Castle. PA
  • Mr Biden takes a selfie while walking through Dundalk. 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 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
    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
    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
    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 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
    Mr Biden encountered some inclement weather on his arrival at Dublin. AFP
  • Hunter Biden holds the umbrella for his father Joe Biden. Reuters
    Hunter Biden holds the umbrella for his father Joe Biden. Reuters
  • Mr Biden descends the steps of the aircraft at Dublin. Reuters
    Mr Biden descends the steps of the aircraft at Dublin. Reuters
  • Air Force One arrives in Dublin. AP
    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.”

if you go

The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip 
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles. 

Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut

Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

START-UPS%20IN%20BATCH%204%20OF%20SANABIL%20500'S%20ACCELERATOR%20PROGRAMME
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESaudi%20Arabia%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EJoy%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Delivers%20car%20services%20with%20affordable%20prices%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EKaraz%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Helps%20diabetics%20with%20gamification%2C%20IoT%20and%20real-time%20data%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMedicarri%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Medical%20marketplace%20that%20connects%20clinics%20with%20suppliers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMod5r%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Makes%20automated%20and%20recurring%20investments%20to%20grow%20wealth%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStuck%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Live%2C%20on-demand%20language%20support%20to%20boost%20writing%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWalzay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Helps%20in%20recruitment%20while%20reducing%20hiring%20time%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEighty6%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarketplace%20for%20restaurant%20and%20supplier%20procurements%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFarmUnboxed%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHelps%20digitise%20international%20food%20supply%20chain%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ENutriCal%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Helps%20F%26amp%3BB%20businesses%20and%20governments%20with%20nutritional%20analysis%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWellxai%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Provides%20insurance%20that%20enables%20and%20rewards%20user%20habits%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEgypt%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAmwal%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20A%20Shariah-compliant%20crowd-lending%20platform%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeben%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Helps%20CFOs%20manage%20cash%20efficiently%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEgab%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Connects%20media%20outlets%20to%20journalists%20in%20hard-to-reach%20areas%20for%20exclusives%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ENeqabty%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Digitises%20financial%20and%20medical%20services%20of%20labour%20unions%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EOman%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMonak%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Provides%20financial%20inclusion%20and%20life%20services%20to%20migrants%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
New UK refugee system

 

  • A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
  • Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
  • A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
  • To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
  • Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
  • Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202-litre%204-cylinder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E153hp%20at%206%2C000rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E200Nm%20at%204%2C000rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E6-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E6.3L%2F100km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDh106%2C900%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Results:

6.30pm: Handicap | US$135,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres

Winner: Rodaini, Connor Beasley (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer)

7.05pm: Handicap | $135,000 (Turf) | 1,200m

Winner: Ekhtiyaar, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson

7.40pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (T) | 2,000m

Winner: Spotify, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby

8.15pm: UAE Oakes | Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,900m

Winner: Divine Image, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

8.50pm: Zabeel Mile | Group 2 | $250,000 (T) | 1,600m

Winner: Mythical Image, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

9.20pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m

Winner: Major Partnership, Kevin Stott, Saeed bin Suroor

if you go

The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow. 
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes). 

Updated: April 13, 2023, 10:35 AM