It's a bird! It's a plane! It's US Army helicopters over Limerick ahead of President Biden's visit

LOUD is too simple a word to describe the noise heard across Limerick county on Monday night as confused residents looked up into the night sky to try and make sense of the mystery sound, which many believe was due to the arrival of US President Joe Biden this week.

Some residents took to social media to try and get to the bottom of the clamour heard above them. 

Councillor Daniel Butler was among residents intrigued by the sounds, saying, "two massive helicopters just flew over Raheen and Dooradoyle. The noise was incredible!"

2 massive helicopters just flew over Raheen and Dooradoyle. The noise was incredible!

I'm guessing they were for the @POTUS visit. pic.twitter.com/CBOcfNuvgl

— Cllr Daniel Butler (@DanielButlerFG) April 10, 2023

As it happens, two US cargo helicopters were overhead, and spotted by locals on FlightRadar24, a live tracker that shows "real-time aircraft flight tracking information on a map."

The councillor wrote, "they were 2 of these Chinooks."

Thanks to @strettie they were 2 of these Chinooks. pic.twitter.com/05fVlYXsxQ

— Cllr Daniel Butler (@DanielButlerFG) April 10, 2023

Also known as cargo helicopters, a Chinook is a "a heavy-lift helicopter," capable of carrying large and heavy cargo, such as tanks, trucks and people all at once.

The councillor hinted at why he thought the choppers might be in over the Mid-West, "I'm guessing they were for the POTUS visit." 

The 46th President of the United States of America, Mr. Joseph R. Biden is due to visit Ireland from April 12 to 15, and while his visit will be primarily around Dublin, Louth and Mayo, the loud noises had Limerick residents wondering if he was due a visit to the Treaty County.

Another Twitter user believed it was the US army "scoping out Limerick before a certain gentleman arrives", hinting at the President's visit to the island.

Forget your Honda Civic, I've a horse, oops, I mean Chinook, outside. US army scoping out Limerick before a certain gentleman arrives in Ireland this week @Rubberbandits @AntonSavageShow #Biden @flightradar24 pic.twitter.com/7gVo8QMmd3

— PictureDiaryGalway (@PicDiaryGalway) April 10, 2023

Though rumours were circulating that President Biden would hopefully visit Shannon Airport, it has been released that the Head of State will solely arrive and depart at Dublin Airport, at various times over the course of his four-day visit.