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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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US President Joe Biden
Speaking at Ulster University earlier today, U.S. President Joe Biden made passing reference to the architect from Kilkenny who designed the White House, James Hoban.
He told those gathered: "As a matter of fact as you walk into my office, the Oval Office, in the US capital, guess what? You know who founded and designed and built the White House? An Irishman. That’s not a joke. Not a joke. Passing it down generation after generation.
"Your history is our history. But even more importantly your future is America’s future."
James Hoban left County Kilkenny for Philadelphia in the 1780s as a promising young architect.
In 1792, Hoban was named winner of the design competition for the White House.
Following the 1814 burning of the White House, Hoban is said to have rebuilt the Southern Portico for President James Monroe (1824) and the Northern Portico for President Andrew Jackson (1829).
Hoban also is believed to have designed Rossenarra House near Kilmoganny in Ireland in 1824.
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