Taoiseach Micheál Martin arrived at the US Naval Observatory, the official residence of the Vice President, this morning, Wednesday, March 12, kicking off the traditional St. Patrick's Day engagements in Washington, DC.
The Taoiseach, accompanied by his wife Mary, was greeted by US Vice President JD Vance, who was accompanied by his wife Usha.
Both the American flag and the Irish flags were on display outside of the entrance.
An honour to represent the people of Ireland in Washington DC.
Thank you Vice President @JDVance and Second Lady Usha for your wonderful hospitality this morning. pic.twitter.com/4wVzxUICwl
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) March 12, 2025
The quartet posed quickly for photos. When one member of the media asked for another handshake, Vance laughed and said, "Sure, we'll do anything for the cameras."
Inside, both the Vice President and the Taoiseach delivered brief remarks.
"We're thrilled to be able to celebrate this moment of friendship between the United States and Ireland and really submit what is, I think one of the great alliances and the great friendships between nations in the world," Vance said.
The Vice President recalled how, in October 2023, he and his wife visited Ireland where they found "such a remarkable combination of incredible community" as well as "beautiful landscape."
They also encountered, Vance said, "a lot of interesting technological growth and I think that one of the more robust areas for us to work on with our Irish friends in the years to come is going to be technology and particularly artificial intelligence as we really take the next stage in an important level of technological progress."
Vance then welcomed some of the honored guests at the breakfast, including Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and his wife Ashley, US Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MN), and Ireland's Ambassador to the US Geraldine Byrne Nason.
Vance continued: "And let me just say before I introduce the Taoiseach that, one of the things that we try to do with this breakfast is just remind people of the important bonds of friendship between the United States and Ireland and I think it's a great opportunity to do that.
"It's also a really great opportunity for Usha to wear her pair of green pants. She's had these in the closet for years and finally gets to break them out."
Vance then welcomed his "dear friend from the United States Marine Corps, Colin Tiernan," who brought his brother Joe.
"And here's the thing that Colin taught me when I was in the United States Senate," Vance continued, "he taught me about sock diplomacy, about the importance of gifting socks to my fellow Senators, something that had, you know, I give you Massachusetts socks to our friends from Massachusetts and Utah socks to our friends from Utah.
"So Colin, in your honor, I've worn these shamrocks.
"And I will say when we meet later in the Oval Office to the Taoiseach, the President is a very big fan of conservative dress, so if he notices these socks, you have to defend me. This is an important part of cementing the Irish-American relationship, and that's the only reason I'm wearing these socks.
"But we're thrilled to have you. Thank you and God bless you."
Speaking next, the Taoiseach thanked President Donald Trump and Vance for "for continuing the time-honored tradition of celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Washington. DC."
He continued: "I've learned something new this morning, the use of socks. I have to adjust very rapidly, given my conservative kind of dress sense, my wife Mary can testify to.
"To some, it may seem strange that I, as Taoiseach, choose to spend, of course, our national day here in the United States. But as you may know, Mr. Vice President, St. Patrick's Day, as it is celebrated today with great fanfare and flourish, began here in the United States.
"In times long past, Irish immigrants far from hearth and home marked a day in memory of the families that they had left behind. And over time, the celebrations grew in strength and number, and today we are deeply proud that March 17th is a day to showcase our rich culture and great friendship from across the world.
"The United States has been a steadfast friend of Ireland's for centuries. Indeed, the United States was the first country to recognize our long-sought independence. Last year, we marked 100 years of Irish-US diplomatic relations, and together we have built deep and enduring political, cultural, and economic bonds, greatly enriching our two nations in the process.
"First and foremost, our kinship was built upon the ties between our people, especially the generations of Irish who made their homes here.
"Scots-Irish immigrants, among them your forebears, Mr. Vice President, played a key role in shaping this great country, and Appalachia in particular. Many helped to build the railroads and contributed greatly to America's prosperity.
"Others brought the fiddle to meet the African banjo, blending the traditions of the immigrant communities who lived there to create something new, fresh, and exciting.
"I was fascinated to learn that in recent years, geologists discovered that the Appalachian Trail does not begin and end in North America. Part of it is in Ireland and Britain split millions of years ago by the movement of tectonic plates. It is not so surprising then that Irish and Scottish immigrants upon arrival in the United States chose a familiar landscape on which to found their new lives.
"Irish Americans continue to make their mark on America from politics to the arts to business, and they have helped to sustain our people-to-people ties and make a crucial contribution to our economic relationship.
"Ireland is now in the top 10 as a source of foreign direct investment into the United States, supporting many, many jobs across the country.
"And nowhere is the strength of the US-Irish relationship more in evidence than in our own peace process. And 44 years ago, President Reagan called for a just and peaceful solution to the conflict that has for so long devastated lives on our island. Politicians from both sides of the aisle rose to the occasion, and the lasting peace we enjoy today on our island is a signature achievement of US foreign policy. And this story of peace, it is one that we both wrote together.
"And we know that building peace is a difficult and painstaking task. And we are ready to play our part in supporting work to end conflict and to secure peace in the Ukraine or in the Middle East or wherever, and we welcome very much the unrelenting focus and effort that President Trump and his administration has brought to the task, to this task from his very first days in office, and we welcome the progress that has clearly been made.
"And as it has always been, the United States remains an indispensable partner and global actor.
"Mr. Vice President, I know that we care deeply about the world, our children, and our children's children inherit, and I know that the US and Ireland will continue to stand together, working tirelessly to secure a future that offers the promise of peace and prosperity.
"Mr. Vice President, as I wrap up, allow me to thank you and Usha once again for opening your home to us and through us to the people of Ireland. You have made us feel right at home in this splendid house on our first St. Patrick's Day together, and I hope that you will allow us to return the honor.
"And I've been told that our small island holds a special place in your shared memories as you said to me earlier that you enjoyed a road trip to Ireland.
"Now, the Vice President did say the road trip could be somewhat difficult next time around with the numbers that might have to be attached.
"You visited the Ring of Kerry, Skibbereen, home of our Olympic champions, as I explained to the Vice President, Cashel, and Dublin, and you tasted the delights, I believe, of the English Market in Cork as well, and I'd love to bring you back there in particular.
"We would be honored and delighted to welcome you both back to our shores before too long.
"And Mr. Vice President, I know you're partial to a game of golf. We have some exceptional courses in Ireland, one of which, in a remote and beautiful part of Ireland called Doonbeg, President Trump will tell you.
"So, Mr. Vice President President, Madam Second Lady, Mary and I thank you once again for your warm hospitality, and we thank you for your friendship, as we say in Gaelic, 'go raibh maith agat.'
Comments