Remarks by Taoiseach Micheál Martin at White House Shamrock Ceremony

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Mr President Trump, distinguished guests,

I am profoundly honoured to be here celebrating St Patrick’s Day at the White House once again.

I am delighted that we are joined by our great friend Ambassador Ed Walsh – he is doing a fantastic job in Ireland for you Mr President, everyone loves him - and by our wonderful Ambassador to the United States, Geraldine Byrne Nason – we’re very proud of you Geraldine.

I am also delighted to be joined by so many cabinet members, and I wish to pay particular tribute to Transport Secretary Sean Duffy, who was honoured last night at the Ireland Funds Gala.

Distinguished guests, the Shamrock Ceremony is always a uniquely special moment.

It is a symbol of a friendship between our peoples which is older than our republics.

But this year it is extra special.

Two hundred and fifty years ago, the people of the United States inspired the world with their determination to build a nation on the timeless ideals of liberty, democracy, and equality.

For Irish people both here and back home, these were noble ideals to which they rallied to in incredible numbers. Over a quarter of Washington’s Continental Army were Irish.

Among the brave and visionary leaders who signed the Declaration of Independence, three were born on the island of Ireland, and many others were of Irish descent.

When they had finished their historic work on that warm clear Philadelphia day, the text was rushed into the hands of another Irish man, John Dunlap who printed the very first copies of the Declaration which was spread across the world.

And in those early years of this new republic, Irish people were active in many more ways.

Derry-man Charles Thomson, designed the Great Seal of the United States, showing the bald eagle with its head turned towards the olive branch of peace.

James Hoban, born in County Kilkenny, who designed this beautiful White House.

Even the very term “United States of America” was first used in writing by an Irishman – Stephen Moylan, from my own county of Cork, was an aide-de-camp to George Washington and used the phrase in a letter dated the 2nd of January 1776.

Mr President,

The Revolution that gave birth to this United States was a flare that lit up the world.

It inspired those in Ireland who dreamed of our own Republic.

It gave strength to all who believed in the self-evident truths of your Declaration of Independence: that all of us, wherever we are in the world, are created equal, with rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

That Governments are created and draw their powers from the consent of the governed, and that it is our duty as leaders to secure the safety and happiness of the people.

That it is the people, those who are governed, who hold the power.

Mr President,

I know that you have designated this as a year to celebrate the Declaration of Independence and the foundation of this republic. As we mark 250 years of these remarkable United States of America, let those revolutionary ideals shine as brightly today as they ever did.

Irish people were there when they were authored, and they remain a great source of pride and inspiration to the 35 million Americans of Irish descent.

Let them continue to inspire and to sustain those who today yearn for peace, justice and freedom.

Let the USA always be that beacon on the hill, holding firm to those founding values, resolute and constant.

And let Ireland and the US, continue to work together to defend them and to build a better world, one that is free, secure and at peace.

Mr President,

No fewer than 23 people of Irish descent have become American Presidents.

Millions more shaped their communities, their cities and their country – building an endlessly dynamic, innovative and resilient nation.

From the very beginning, what you Mr. President, have described as “the strength, warmth, grit, and grace of the Irish people” has strengthened and enriched this Union.

It is that ‘grit and grace’ that marks every aspect of our relationship today.

It is what characterised the decades-long US investment in peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland.

Some of those who gave their time, resources, political capital and commitment to help transform our island are in this room today.

You have my deepest gratitude.

Ireland is now an island at peace. A place where politics, persuasion, and advocacy have taken the place of violence to achieve our aspirations.

There is plenty of grit and grace in the economic relationship too.

The US has long been Ireland’s largest investment partner. In Ireland, American companies thrive, innovate, and gain access to EU and international markets. But that investment increasingly goes both ways.

Ireland is the 5th largest source of foreign direct investment into the US, with investment by Irish companies valued at $390 billion.

Not bad for a country of just five and a half million people.

Irish companies have so many 737s on order, that it would take the Boeing factory in Washington almost an entire year of working solely on Irish orders to deliver them all.

Every day, hundreds of thousands of American men and women go to work in 800 plus Irish-owned companies, across the 50 States of the Union.

Irish investment is central to making the critical materials for American infrastructure and housing; the food that is served on American tables each night, using produce from American farmers; the infrastructure that powers the AI revolution.

The US is the largest economy in the world. Ireland is small. We need free and open trade to make our way in the world, and we like to see as few barriers and tariffs get in the way of that as possible.

Like other small countries, we see international rules and order - including the United Nations – as essential to our peace and security and to that of the world.

Our own recent history has convinced us that dialogue, negotiation and de-escalation are the way to make progress.

And we especially want to see progress and peace in the Middle East, as I know you do.

We also need a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine.

Too many people are dying as a result of conflict in the world – we owe it to them all to create a better future.

Mr President, Distinguished Guests,

The relationship between the United States and Ireland is deep and enduring.

It will always be special. We are in each other’s DNA. In the founding ideals of our states and the values which secured our sovereignty.

It is hard to imagine the United States without the contribution of the Irish and Ireland without the friendship of the United States.

Today, I present this bowl of Shamrock, in memory of all the brave Irish men and Irish women who came here and who believed in the American promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; in tribute to all that they contributed and built here; and in celebration of all that we will do and achieve together in the next two hundred and fifty years.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh. Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh go léir.

Thank you very much, and happy St. Patrick’s Day to you all.