Key facts
- At least two arrests were made after the Bidens' visit to Trinity College Dublin, with garda officers and public order unit vans on site.
- Hunter Biden received the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution for Public Discourse at the College Historical Society ceremony.
- RTÉ reported that objects were thrown as the Biden family left the venue and some protesters moved forward.
- Taoiseach Micheál Martin said on X he was pleased to welcome the family, who reflected on Biden's Irish roots.
- Previous recipients of the award include former Irish president Michael D Higgins, Bob Geldof, Patti Smith, Julian Assange and Desmond Tutu.
At least two arrests were made after a surprise visit by former US President Joe Biden and his family to Trinity College in Dublin on November 10, 2026, according to Irish broadcaster RTÉ. Biden was accompanied by former first lady Jill Biden at a ceremony where their son Hunter received the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution for Public Discourse from the College Historical Society.
Groups of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered during the visit, and some were detained by gardaí, the Irish police. As the Biden family left the venue, some people moved forward and objects were thrown, RTÉ reported. Garda officers and public order unit vans were on site.
The former president and his family also met Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who said on X that he had been pleased to welcome them and that they reflected on Biden's "strong Irish roots". Previous recipients of the award include former Irish president Michael D Higgins, Bob Geldof, Patti Smith, Julian Assange and Desmond Tutu.