On a St Patrick's Day, when there will be virtually no public parades in Ireland because of the foot-and-mouth precautions, it is inevitable that attention should shift to the international manifestations of the national holiday. Undoubtedly the most significant of these took place yesterday in Washington, where the Taoiseach had a very successful meeting with President Bush. It indicated that the new administration will be actively engaged with Ireland both politically and economically. This amply confirms that St Patrick's Day enjoys remarkable recognition around the world as a symbol of Irish identity.
That impression was reinforced by the inclusive cast of Irish political figures in Washington yesterday. Along with Mr Ahern were the UUP leader and First Minister of the Northern Executive, Mr Trimble, the Deputy First Minister, Mr Mallon, the Sinn Fein president, Mr Adams, and - for the first time at such an occasion - the leader of the DUP, Mr Paisley. The Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr Reid, was also there.
All were impressed by President Bush's informed interest in Ireland and his commitment to do whatever he can to help the peace process. This applies as much in the economic as the political sphere. He has not been slow to recognise the merits of Ireland's low taxation policies and the safe and profitable haven they provide for US capital. It is to be hoped that leaders North and South can turn that interest to mutual advantage when the Commerce Secretary, Mr Don Evans, comes here later this year.
Mr Ahern is also convinced Ireland's success in winning a seat on the United Nations Security Council has helped to raise its political and diplomatic profile, including in Washington. How the Bush administration relates to the UN will be an important test of its emerging foreign policy profile. One role Ireland can play is to help bridge what could be significant transatlantic tension between the US and the European Union. The items discussed yesterday reflected those concerns, including sanctions on Iraq, the Middle East, China as well as trade and other European issues.
Mr Bush has shown himself ready to respond to political pressure in recent weeks - and he certainly came under it from Irish-American members of the Republican Party, who convinced him not to concede the Irish issue to their Democratic opponents after Mr Clinton's extraordinary engagement with this country. Such political clout has been a feature of Irish political culture and is certainly not restricted to the US political scene.
In a world made smaller by globalising economics people are increasingly keen to identify with diasporic communities. Ireland has been fortunate indeed to have the venerable and adaptable Patrician tradition as the symbol of that identification. It has shown itself capable of bringing people together in both secular and religious ways. Here at home, indeed, it is worth reflecting that the solidarity shown in the foot-and-mouth emergency reveals an abiding identification with the land and its values that draws on the same tradition as that of St Patrick himself.