2023 has turned out to be a banner year for American dignitaries visiting Ireland. Last month, US President Joe Biden travelled from Dundalk to Ballina, via the Dolphin's Barn Maxol. This week, one of America's greatest rock icons Bruce Springsteen arrived back for an extended visit.
Springsteen and his entourage arrived in Ireland on Wednesday ahead of concerts tonight, Sunday and Tuesday at the RDS. The extended build-up to the gigs means Springsteen can enjoy himself in Ireland and get around the country. He met some old friends on Wednesday and yesterday, explored his own Irish heritage.
On Thursday afternoon Springsteen called in The Burrow pub in Rathangan, Co Kildare, which is just a few kilometres from the Offaly border.
SEE ALSO: Bruce Springsteen Meets With Irish Music Legend Ahead Of Sold-Out Dublin Shows
Bruce Springsteen in Rathangan
Springsteen has ties to Rathanagan that go back to the 19th century.
The Boss can trace his Irish roots to the village through a relation named Anne Garrity who left Kildare during the Famine for the Garden State of New Jersey.
Springsteen - holding what might have been a short of whiskey - fittingly sang 'My Hometown' (just as someone in the bar turned on the 'Irish Rover' by the Pogues and the Dubliners)
Bruce performing My Hometown today in Burrow pub in Rathangan, Co. Kildare today.
📸: Maria Kirwan pic.twitter.com/fMT6gmnBnp— Fan Of The Boss (@Fan_0f_the_Boss) May 4, 2023
Councillour Mark Stafford told the Leinster Leader the visit was only confirmed when Springsteen arrived in Ireland, though there had been contact with the Boss's representative in advance.
"We were told he was interested, but on the strict condition that it was to be a private visit and he didn't want any large gatherings. You can understand that as it was a personal visit. Anyone he did meet, he was very obliging and he had all the time in the world for them."
"He was delighted to be here and was interested in learning all about his heritage."r
Springsteen also visited Newbridge library where staff gave him a presentation about his Kildare roots. We have sadly not seen any photos of Springsteen in a Kildare jersey, yet. Nor do we know what the Boss thinks about Kildare's chances in the Sam Maguire round robin, or Glenn Ryan's comments on the Dubs in Croker.
But we still have a few more days of Springsteen in Ireland.
