ieExplains: What is the big deal about the Taoiseach's St Patrick’s Day visit to US?
The Shamrock Ceremony is usually held in the days around St Patrick’s Day. This year it will be on March 12.
After much worry that it might not happen for various reasons, US president Donald Trump yesterday officially invited Taoiseach Micheál Martin to the White House for St Patrick’s Day.
The long-held tradition of taoisigh meeting with US presidents has come under scrutiny given the Trump administration’s focus on trade deficits — with Ireland specifically named in the president’s crosshairs.
It is. Yesterday, the Taoiseach received and accepted the invitation to travel to Washington the week after next. He will stop by Austin, Texas, first.
A spokesperson said: “The Taoiseach is pleased to have received an invitation from president Trump to visit the White House to celebrate St Patrick’s Day on March 12.”
The visit takes place on March 12 as opposed to March 17.
The Washington visit is the centrepiece of Ireland’s diplomatic efforts every year, when all but three ministers will travel abroad to promote all things Irish.
While having a guaranteed sit-down with the US president is important for all sorts of reasons, the real value of the week is in jetstream of that meeting.
Irish lobby and trade groups head to the US capital en masse to speak to US companies, clients, and agencies.
Across major US cities all week, there will be gatherings, parties, and events filled with business and cultural leaders from both sides of the Atlantic.
In 2023, one Irish trade group was able to secure a meeting with US trade officials — which they estimated at the time was worth $80m per annum to its industry in Ireland.
The US was Ireland’s largest export market in 2022, with over €63bn in exports, or 30% of the total export value. The second biggest export partner was Germany with €25bn, followed by Britain with €22bn.
Ireland is the ninth largest source of foreign direct investment in the US, with $295bn spent in 2022.
’s 30th anniversary tour will be on at the Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts, so expect that to feature, while the Ireland Funds gala dinner is major part of the week.
It takes place on the Thursday, the day after the Shamrock Ceremony.
The Shamrock Ceremony is usually held in the days around St Patrick’s Day. This year it will be on March 12.
Mr Martin will attend a breakfast with US vice president JD Vance before heading to Pennsylvania Avenue to conduct a meeting with Mr Trump. It is here that you will see images of the two in the Oval Office together.
After about an hour, Mr Martin will be taken to Capitol Hill for the Speaker’s Lunch — before returning to the East Room of the White House for the ceremony itself.
