Main Points
- Iran, Nato and UK leader Keir Starmer were the main talking points as the Taoiseach met with Donald Trump this afternoon
- The US prevented “nuclear holocaust” by bombing Iran, Trump claimed
- Martin said you cannot have a “rogue state” with nuclear weapons and outlined the Irish position on Iran
- The Taoiseach has used his speech at the final St Patrick’s Day event in Washington to argue against tariffs and appeal for “dialogue, negotiation and de-escalation” in the Middle East
Key Reads
- Keith Duggan: Martin was left with two choices as Trump recited an increasingly cranky litany of complaints
- Opposition unimpressed by Taoiseach’s failure to ‘call out’ US president
- Eight key moments from Martin-Trump meeting: from Catherine Connolly comments to Starmer
And with the conclusion of the shamrock ceremony, that’s all for today’s official St Patrick’s Day festivities in the US.
Political Editor Pat Leahy writes from the White House:
The Taoiseach has used his speech at the final St Patrick’s Day event in Washington to argue against tariffs and appeal for “dialogue, negotiation and de-escalation” in the Middle East.
Standing beside Donald Trump for the presentation of the bowl of shamrock in the East Room of the White House before an invited audience, Martin warmly complimented his host but also made his clearest statement of the day on tariffs and the war in Iran.
“The US is the largest economy in the world. Ireland is small,” Martin said in prepared remarks.
“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.”
The Taoiseach went on to say: “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.”
The remarks, at the end of the final event of a busy day of engagements in Washington, were the Taoiseach’s strongest statements on the Iran issue during his visit.
President Trump has spent much of his speeches - in the Oval Office this morning, at the Speaker’s lunch on Capitol Hill and in this evening’s event - defending his Iran policy.
The Taoiseach finishes by saying the relationship between the US and Ireland is “deep and enduring”.
“It will always be special. We are in each other’s DNA and 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 will 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 250 years,” he says.
“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 and negotiation and de-escalation are the ways 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,” the Taoiseach says.
“Too many people are dying as a result of conflict across the world, and we owe to them all to create a better future.”
Noting that the US is the largest economy in the world, he says 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”.
Martin notes that three of those who signed the Declaration of Indepence were born on the Island of Ireland, and “many others were of Irish descent”.
“In those early years of this new republic, Irish people were active in many more ways,” he says.
Noting that the “very term” of the “United States of America” was first used in writing by Corkman Stephen Moylan, the Taoiseach says: “Corkonians are notorious for their vision.”
Martin says the shamrock ceremony is “always a uniquely special moment”.
“It is a symbol of friendship, a friendship between our people, which is older than our republics,” he says.
“But this year, it is especially a special one. 250 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.”
The Taoiseach begins his speech by saying he is “profoundly honoured” to be there.
He says the US ambassador to Ireland, Edward Walsh is doing a “fantastic job in Ireland”, adding: “Everyone lives him”.
“In every part of American life, we find Irish Americans who embody the best of our country and point us toward excellence and great success. And nobody has had, I would say, as a group, more success than people from Ireland,” he says.
He says Irish Americans have left “an incredible mark on American history”, describing them as “fighters, thinkers and doers and winners”.
“America’s truly been blessed by the luck of the Irish,” he says.
Noting the Irish roots of Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins, Trump says the US plans to “return to the moon”.
“We think it’s going to be quite soon, and then we’ll lead the world to Mars. It’s something that I guess a lot of people want. Some people say it’s a lot of money, and other people say it’s progress, and we should be doing it,” he says.
Trump says the US has a $40 billion trade deficit with Ireland.
“They’re gonna have to buy a lot of our energy I think to make up for that,” he says.
Noting Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly is present, he says the “relationship is good”.
It is “much better that way than the old days”, he says.
“We’re delighted to host the Taoiseach … along with someone who’s much, much more important, his wife, Mary,” Trump says.
He adds that Micheál Martin should feel “very much at home here in America”.
“It’s often said that we have five times as many Irish in our beautiful country than you have on your wonderful island,” he says.
Trump says for a future visit, “you’re going to see one of the most beautiful ballrooms anywhere in the world”.
He adds: “We gather here to celebrate an incredible feat of friendship between Ireland and the wonderful place that we call the United States.”
Referring to the US, he says: “We’ve never done better. We took a little bit of an excursion over the last two weeks because we thought we had to do something about very bad people that want to have nuclear weapons.”
US president Donald Trump has just started speaking and remarks how he has spent his “whole day with the Irish, and I should have spent it with the Iranians”.
“They can’t have a nuclear weapon, and they now understand that very strongly,” he says.
The traditional shamrock ceremony is due to begin shortly and can be viewed live above.
People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett has labelled the Taoiseach’s White House meeting a “pathetic failure”.
“It was a thoroughly embarrassing performance by the Taoiseach, giving Trump the legitimacy of Ireland’s national day to boast about his bombing and killing spree that has set the entire Middle East on fire and is imposing a severe economic cost on ordinary people in this country and across the world,” he said.
Boyd Barrett’s party colleague Paul Murphy added:
“Micheál Martin once more proved that currying favour with Trump is more important to the Irish Government than human rights or any semblance of an independent foreign policy.”
Turning to the Middle East, Israel has claimed to have killed Iran’s top security leader Ali Larijani while a senior Iranian official said the new supreme leader had rejected de-escalation offers conveyed by intermediaries, demanding Israel and the US first be “brought to their knees”.
Mark Weiss reports here.
Separately, Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has said on X that the Strait of Hormuz “won’t return to its pre-war status”.
The effective shutdown of the vital shipping route, through which 20 per cent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flow, has had significant consequences for the global economy, causing oil and gas prices to soar.
Snails in Doonbeg, misgendering the President, and the Taoiseach’s defence of UK prime minister Keir Starmer are among the eight key moments from today’s White House meeting.
Political Correspondent Jack Horgan-Jones sets them out here.
Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly has said she looks forward to outlining why Northern Ireland “stands proud and strong – and against any mergers and acquisitions” following Trump’s earlier remarks.
During his speech at the Friends of Ireland luncheon earlier, Trump, noting the attendance of Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Emma Little-Pengelly, said:
“They get along so well. That’s the way it’s supposed to be. I don’t know if I should be promoting mergers. I love mergers,” he said, adding: “We’re gonna get in a little trouble”.
Labour Party TD Marie Sherlock has said the Taoiseach “appeared to survived” today’s meeting.
“But only because he failed to call out that Trump’s war is having devastating consequences to life in the Middle East and the cost of living across the rest of world,” she said.
Sinn Féin’s spokesman on International Affairs, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, has added to criticism of the Taoiseach’s White House visit.
“The Taoiseach needs to be clear with the US administration on the primacy of international law, and how US actions have breached this. The Taoiseach missed an opportunity to state this publicly.
“It is important that this is made in the other engagements Micheál Martin has with president Trump and his officials.
“We cannot ignore the human rights breaches in Gaza, Palestine and the attacks on Iranian civilians.
“It was bizarre to see Micheál Martin telling Donald trump he was doing his bit for peace in Gaza given the manner in which the ceasefire is continually being broken and the so called board of peace is undermining international law.”
An interesting post here from the press office of Gavin Newsom, the governor of California.
‘We have a tremendous deficit’ - Trump
After saying both nations continue to build “upon the age-old bond”, Trump added: “We have a tremendous deficit by the way.”
Glancing towards the Taoiseach, he said: “I want to tell you right now, I looked at the numbers and you guys are much better business people than our past politicians. We have to talk about that deficit. Are we allowed to talk about that today? It’s a substantial deficit.”
The US president said he is hopeful a deal will be reached on American liquefied natural gas.
“That will bring down your deficits a lot. I think you have to make this deal with us, we’ve got to do something. These companies are going to be fuelling your homes and factories and all of the other things. We have a lot of energy in this country, we have more than anybody.
“So we want to sell a little of that to you and the deficit will come down, down, down and everybody’s going to be happy, so you’ve got to buy a lot of our stuff.”
Trump also said the Irish “did not come to America. They helped found America.”
“The fact is, they helped build America. These are incredible people. I know them well, and with a little bit of Irish luck, they helped make America into the most exceptional nation the world has ever seen.”
He then reverted to speak about Iran, saying: “We had to do a little excursion, if you don’t mind, a little excursion to take care of nuclear weaponry in the hands of maniacs. But other than that, a couple of weeks, it won’t be much longer.”
“Nobody would have thought you could do that much damage in that little time, two weeks,” he said.
He reiterated that oil prices will “drop like a rock”, saying the economy is “so powerful, so strong”.
“I don’t want to bore you, because this is all about Ireland,” he said, moments later.
He ultimately reverted back to speaking about Iran, saying:
“They could leave today and it would take 10 years to rebuild the damage that’s been done, but I think we have to make it little bit more permanent because no other president has to go through this, and we shouldn’t have any other president having to go through this kind of a thing.”
“Let’s get back to Ireland,” he said.
Trump’s remarks at the lunch covered many of the same points he made in the Oval Office, Political Editor Pat Leahy reports.
These were namely what a great job he is doing in general and how dangerous Iran was before he launched the attacks.
“You can’t have lunatics controlling nuclear weapons,” he said.
Trump joked he would let the Taoiseach know if he was having any difficulties in Doonbeg.
At least he might have been joking.
Martin says the US Congress played a “pivotal role” in achieving and securing a lasting peace on the Island of Ireland.
“I pay tribute to the generations of people who have served here and who believed in and invested in this peace. We will never forget them. We will always remember that in our darkest and bleakest hours, they kept the faith.
“We still your support and your energy to maintain that peace and to support reconciliation,” he says.
Finishing up, the Taoiseach thanks Trump for “your friendship for Ireland, a country you know well”.
“There is truth to the Irish proverb that ‘the road to a friend’s house is never long’.”
Martin says every day, more than 200,000 Americans go to work each morning in nearly 800 Irish-owned companies operating in every sector in ever state.
He adds that Ireland is the fifth-largest foreign investor in the US.
“From little acorns, mighty oaks grow,” he says.
Irish have been at the ‘beating heart of American democracy’ - Taoiseach
Taoiseach Micheál Martin says the gathering “signifies the ties that bind our two countries and the bipartisan commitment to peace and reconciliation in Ireland”.
He adds that since the founding of the United States, Irish people have been at the “beating heart of American democracy and civic life as politicians, faith leaders, police officers, firefighters, nurses, community leaders and construction workers”.
“Irish people helped to build the American dream with tenacity and with courage,” he says.
“The United States and Ireland continue to build upon the age-old bond together. We are strengthening the ties of culture,” he says.
He adds that Irish companies are investing more than $6 billion into the United States.
“I love Ireland. In fact, we’re going to have the Irish Open at a property that happens to be owned by yours truly but I have nothing to do with it,” Trump says.
He adds that 130 members of the House and Senate have been born in Ireland, and have been “elected to work in these great halls”.
‘You mean business’, Trump tells Taoiseach
Speaking at the Friends of Ireland luncheon US president Donald Trump has told Taoiseach Micheál Martin “you mean business”, adding that he can “tell a story like nobody can tell a story”.
“We’ve had a really great relationship,” he said.
Pointing to some present, he noted the US ambassador to Ireland, Edward Walsh, is a “great” golfer, adding: “But Trumps not bad.”
“He’s having a lot of fun over there,” Trump said, adding that it must be “the greatest job in the world.”
The Taoiseach has thanked Trump for his “generous welcome” to the White House.
Meeting was ‘a missed opportunity’ for Martin - Cairns
Holly Cairns, leader of the Social Democrats, described the meeting as “a missed opportunity for Micheál Martin to stand up for international law and peace”.
“The Taoiseach remained almost entirely mute as Trump went on a tirade, spreading misinformation to defend his illegal war in Iran. When he finally did interject, he gave the impression that Ireland had no issue with Trump’s unprovoked attack on Iran – a flagrant breach of international law," Cairns said.
“Incredibly, at one point, the Taoiseach said Trump was ‘doing [his] bit’ for peace in the Middle East – mere weeks after Trump launched an illegal war which has destabilised the entire region and unleashed chaos.
“The only person Micheál Martin sought to strongly defend today was British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He made a point of attempting to firmly rebuff some of Trump’s attacks on him. However, when Trump mistakenly thought our own President was a man, Micheál Martin failed to correct the record.
“Further, when it came to a more pointed defence of our European allies and a clear criticism of Trump’s warmongering, the Taoiseach was meek and mute. He did not represent the views of the Irish people, who are appalled at Trump’s lawless and belligerent Presidency.
“It was unclear from the meeting if the Taoiseach has extended a formal invitation to Trump to come to Ireland later this year, but any such invitation would be outrageous. The Irish people do not want a red carpet to be rolled out for an American president who is dismantling international law and institutions.”
The public meeting has now ended.
Here’s a quick recap from Political Editor Pat Leahy:
That went as well as Taoiseach Micheál Martin could have hoped. Though for long periods of the press conference in the Oval Office he was just an onlooker, he intervened to answer Trump’s attacks on Europe over migration and on British prime minister Keir Starmer, whom Martin defended strongly.
Moreover he managed to do it without clashing publicly with Trump. The US president was cranky with Nato, but the Taoiseach kept his head down of all that. He may have more Trump headaches to deal with though - the president said he hoped to come to Doonbeg in September for the Irish Open.
Fuel prices will ‘drop like a rock’ when Iran war is over - Trump
On the fact the conflict in the Middle East is driving up fuel prices in Ireland and elsewhere, Trump said:
“I have a lot of friends from Ireland. They’re very happy that I’m getting rid of a nuclear power, a nuclear terrorist. And as soon as that war is over - which will be soon - your prices are going to drop like a rock. You watch.”
Trump on immigration - and energy policy - in Europe
Trump also said Europe “better do something” about immigration, and energy policy, or there “won’t be a Europe”.
In terms of energy, Trump said “windmills which don’t work” are “destroying” landscapes in the UK.
Martin said Europe is a great place to live. He said no one is in favour of “illegal migration” and denied Europe is “overrun” by immigrants.
“In Ireland, our population is growing but in a very positive way,” Martin said.
“I think sometimes Europe gets characterised in terms of it being ‘overrun’.”
The Taoiseach said Ireland believes in “robust and fair” rules around immigration.
“It’s much more robust now, a much more stronger mechanism in place to facilitate legal migration, and I think it’s important.”
Trump seemingly thinks Irish president is male
When asked about President Catherine Connolly’s recent remarks on Iran - that the recent attacks by the US and Israel were “deliberate assaults on international law” - Trump said: “He’s lucky I exist, that’s all I can say” - seemingly presuming our president is male.
“Because if you’re going to allow countries that are sick and demented - and they are demented - to have nuclear weapons, everybody in the whole world should be very thankful,” Trump said.
Martin said “everyone accepts that you cannot have a rogue state with a nuclear weapon” and that Iran was “a sponsor of terrorism”.
“Our hearts go out to the Iranian people who have been repressed and suppressed for so many years.”
Martin said leaders must work for peace in the Middle East and other places such as Ukraine.
Trump said the US helped with Ukraine, but the country “did not help” with Iran.
Martin defends Starmer
Martin finally comes in, to defend Starmer.
The Taoiseach said Starmer was an “earnest, sound person” who helped to “reset” the UK-Irish relationship.
Martin also said there might be a “different perspective” on Churchill in Ireland (after Trump praised him).
![Highlighting a bust of Winston Churchill in the Oval Office, Donald Trump said: “Keir [Starmer] is not Winston Churchill.” Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/U2VQTQQT2NSMN5CJ5KUXYBI6WM.jpg?auth=d3daef2a67a37fdfe750012e286bb63acac9046829c9c6a64676039489c2fc8b&width=800&height=533)
Trump says Starmer is ‘not Winston Churchill’
Asked if the lack of support by British prime minister Keir Starmer in Iran has impacted their relationship, Trump said: “I like him, but I’m disappointed in him.”
Highlighting a bust of Winston Churchill in the Oval Office, Trump said: “Keir is not Winston Churchill.”
The US prevented “nuclear holocaust” by bombing Iran, Trump claimed.
“I said Iran was a big threat to this country, to this world of ours, and turned out I was right...
“You can’t let them have a nuclear weapon. If they got a nuclear weapon, I would say they would have used it within 24 hours after having it.”
Turning to Martin, he said: “I think it would have hit Europe, maybe not Ireland, but it would have hit Europe.
“It is big enough, you would have been affected.”
The majority of the questions so far have been related to Iran. Trump has been giving answers, while Martin has not interjected.
Trump says US ‘doesn’t need help’ from Nato in Iran
Now talking about Iran, Trump said: “I think Nato is making a very foolish mistake” and the US doesn’t need “any help” from its Nato allies.
“All of the Nato allies agreed with us and they don’t want to – despite the fact that we helped them so much.
“We have thousands of soldiers in different countries all over the world and they don’t want to help us.”
Trump wants to visit Doonbeg for Irish Open
Trump said he will “try” to visit Ireland for the Amgen Irish Open at the Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, Co Clare, in September.
“We have a great golf complex in Ireland, one of the best in the world, called Doonbeg,” he said.
Trump added that golfers “all love” the course in Doonbeg, namechecking Rory McIlroy in particular.
“Everybody wants me to be there. You [Martin] just said, ‘I hope you’re going to go’,” Trump said.
“We’re going to try. We are going to try. But it would be an honour.
“But it was a great honour to be chosen [to host the Open].”
Martin thanked Trump for his welcome, noting that 45 million people in the US “claim Irish descent and Irish heritage”.
The Taoiseach noted that Cork-born Stephen Moylan, who served as aide-de-camp to George Washington during American revolution, is credited with coming up with the phrase United States of America.
Trump enjoys this anecdote, adding that Martin told him 23 US presidents had Irish heritage.
Trump welcomes Martin in Oval Office
And we’re off...
The Taoiseach and US president Donald Trump are now meeting in the Oval Office.
Trump welcomes Micheál Martin, noting the “tremendous bonds between Ireland and the United States”.
“We’re going to have some big discussions today concerning trade, concerning lots of different subjects. We have a tremendous trade relationship with Ireland, and we’ll keep it that way. I think it’s going to be expanded very greatly,” Trump said, adding that tariffs may also be discussed (as they were last year).
While Trump is sharing his thoughts on social media, the St Patrick’s Day events in Washington are currently running almost an hour behind schedule.
Such events often run a little late, but no reason for today’s delay has been given.
A recent post by Trump about Iran on Truth Social would suggest the US president is not in the best mood today.
In the post, shared in the last few minutes, Trump wrote:
“The United States has been informed by most of our NATO “Allies” that they don’t want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran, in the Middle East, this, despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be allowed to have a Nuclear Weapon.
“I am not surprised by their action, however, because I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street.”
Trump said the US “no longer needs or wants NATO’s help (“WE NEVER DID”) and does “NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!”
Dan Mulhall, the former ambassador of Ireland to the United States, said the “bonhomie” between Vance and Martin earlier “augurs well for the rest of the day in DC”.
“Suggests there’s no ambush being laid for Taoiseach in the Oval Office although mishaps can always happen,” he wrote in a post on X.
(Yes, he is indeed sharing our live story.)
The meeting between Martin and Trump in the Oval Office is imminent.
While we wait, in case you were wondering, the fountain outside the White House is green today. Mark that off your St Patrick’s Day bingo card.
The US government is committed to working with Ireland to safeguard “the shared security” of the two countries, its top diplomat has said.
In a statement to mark St Patrick’s Day, US secretary of state Marco Rubio also acknowledged Ireland was now the fifth-largest investor in the United States, Public Policy Correspondent Martin Wall reports.
Rubio said Irish investment supported more than 375,000 American jobs across all 50 states. He also said the United States was “committed to advancing fair trade policies that benefit us all”.
Read the full story here.
Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill and other party leaders were “wrong” to have stayed away from Washington DC on St Patrick’s Day, Stormont’s Communities Minister said.
Traditionally, political leaders from across the island of Ireland have taken part in events in the United States for the national saint’s day.
O’Neill and her Sinn Féin colleagues are boycotting events for a second year in a row in protest at US policy towards Gaza.
O’Neill last month said she could not live with a decision to travel to Washington DC while the US administration was “threatening to annex and steal” the land of the Palestinian people.
DUP MLA Gordon Lyons on Tuesday said leaders “need to show up” for Northern Ireland.
“The First Minister has refused to attend, other political leaders have refused to attend, I think that is wrong, I think that we need to show up,” he said.
“I have been doing this for a number of years, I don’t agree with everything that every incumbent in the White House says or does. I came along when Joe Biden was in office, I certainly didn’t agree with everything that he was doing either, but I come because it is important to engage with the US administration.”
Alliance leader Naomi Long and SDLP leader Claire Hanna have also stayed away.
Deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly is leading a Northern Ireland delegation in O’Neill’s absence.
Education Minister Paul Givan and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, as well as Secretary of State Hilary Benn, UUP leader Jon Burrows and PSNI chief constable Jon Burrows have also travelled to the US capital this week.
- Press Association
Top Trump counter-terrorism official resigns over Iran
The situation in Iran was already likely to feature heavily at the press briefing at the White House today, but now even more so.
A top counter-terrorism official in the Trump administration has resigned over the ongoing war on Iran. Joe Kent, who reported to director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, said that he “cannot in good conscience” support the joint conflict with Israel.
In a letter addressed to Donald Trump, Kent praised the president’s foreign policy achievements in his first administration. Noting that Trump was skilled at applying “military power without getting us drawn into never-ending wars”.
This was exemplified by the “killing Qasam Solamani and by defeating Isis”, Kent wrote. However, things changed during Trump’s second term in office.
“Early in this administration, high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media deployed a misinformation campaign that wholly undermined your America First platform and sowed pro-war sentiments to encourage a war with Iran,” said Kent, who served as director of the National Counterterrorism Center.
“This echo chamber was used to deceive you,” Kent continued, “into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States, and that should you strike now, there was a clear path to a swift victory. This was a lie and is the same tactic the Israelis used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq war that cost our nation the lives of thousands of our best men and women. We cannot make this mistake again.”
Kent, a former CIA operative, was confirmed to his position last July.
- The Guardian
There are tricolours all over Washington today, including this one at Blair House (which is also known as the president’s guest house).
What gets served to dignitaries at the Naval Observatory on St Patrick’s Day? Wonder no more, Jack Horgan-Jones has the answer...
A source with knowledge of the breakfast confirms that Micheál Martin and guests were served a corned beef hash and poached egg, alongside raspberry and lemon parfait. The verdict: “Very nice actually”.
There’s also a goodie bag for guests, with a pint glass and a pair of Donegal socks. Whatever they are.
Well, we’re on the run-in, with less than an hour now before the Taoiseach arrives at the White House and then crosses the threshold into the Oval Office, Political Correspondent Jack Horgan-Jones writes.
But what is it like to be on the inside of the Taoiseach’s close circle at this time? Brian Murphy, former chief of staff to ex-Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, was present on the Oval Office couches for several such meetings.
On the day itself, he recalls, there’s “very little time, in truth, because the schedule is very tight” which leaves effectively no time for final preparations or game-planning.
“Some officials will tell you all sorts of stories about going in with three or four things to talk about,” recalls Murphy - but in the Trump era, “the truth is you want to get in and out”.
“The danger point for the Taoiseach is Trump decides to talk about what he perceives as Europe’s unfairness in relation to supporting America,” he says, adding that the US president could “easily attack European allies”. If he does so, it leaves Martin in a difficult situation: “If you decide to intervene, it’s almost certainly fatal” - but if you don’t, it looks terrible to a domestic audience.
Murphy is encouraged by how US vice-president JD Vance welcomed Martin to the Naval Observatory, but says that given Trump’s nature, the tone of the Oval encounter could be “down to something in the 20 minutes before the meeting takes place”.
Murphy repeatedly mentions the presence of travelling journalists as a wild card, with the hacks clustered close to the principles in the Oval Office, shouting questions. He reckons Martin would probably have sought the advice of US politicians he met about the mood in the White House in recent days, have focused on getting some sleep last night and not eating too much today.
But for all the preparation, once they enter the Oval Office, it’s all on the line: “It’s a pretty unique type of situation. He wouldn’t be human if he didn’t have butterflies.”
There will be a chance to fine-tune his speech for tonight - a more formal engagement than the chaos of the Oval Office, says Murphy. This may be where the Taoiseach chooses to land a message on the war in Iran designed for domestic consumption.
“You’re not going to poke the bear, but it will be expected by people at home that he will say something,” says Murphy.
“The (Irish) embassy will be saying ‘oh you don’t need to say anything like that’, but the truth is that is the expectation at home, and that is his key audience - the country at home.”
In the official visitors’ book, the Taoiseach thanked the Vances for their “generosity and hospitality”.
“May the strong economic, people to people, and cultural ties that bind the United States and Ireland continue to endure for generations to come,” Micheál Martin wrote.
Taoiseach thanks Vance for warm welcome
More on the exchange between Martin and Vance from our Political Correspondent Jack Horgan-Jones:
The official St Patrick’s Day programme of events in Washington is under way, with the Taoiseach attending a breakfast hosted by US vice-president JD Vance in his residency, the Naval Observatory.
This marks Micheál Martin’s first speaking engagement of the day - and it was a pretty uncontroversial outing, with both the Taoiseach and Vance leaning into the depth of Irish-American cultural relations in front of the cameras (before they were booted out).
Martin told the vice-president he was deeply touched by the warmth of the welcome, before a brief survey of Irish-American links to the War of Independence (the American one) era. He mentioned Commodore John Barry, commonly known as the father of the US Navy; John Moylan, who supposedly coined the name United States of America; and Irish-born founding father Charles Thomson.
The Taoiseach told the gathering that Irish-Americans were known for “both their loyalty to America and their enduring links to their ancestral homeland”, adding that just one other country was named in the Irish proclamation of independence - the US.
Unsurprisingly, he mentioned the contribution of Irish-Americans to US history and their roles as firefighters, police officers, nurses, farmers and presidents. “Our exiled children from all the rich and diverse traditions across our island have made their mark on this proud land,” he said.
He also paid tribute to American support for the peace process, saying: “At the darkest, bleakest of times, you, all of you in this room, kept the faith,” before encouraging Vance and his wife Usha to visit Ireland in the near future.
Republican senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska gave a blessing before the breakfast (Vance blessed himself; the Taoiseach did not), including an invocation for divine protection for the US military “undertaking dangerous duty on behalf of the nation they love”.
The Taoiseach thanked Vance and his wife Usha “most sincerely” for their welcome.
Micheál Martin said he and his wife Mary “were deeply touched by the warmth of your welcome and generosity of your hospitality” last year.
“As we gather to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day 2026, we also look ahead to July the 4th, when this great nation will mark the 250th anniversary of your independence.”
Martin congratulated Vance and his wife Usha on the news they are expecting their fourth child, and presented him with a special edition of James Joyce’s Ulysses, Political Editor Pat Leahy reports.
Vance says US cherishes ‘incredible’ friendship with Ireland
Speaking at a breakfast meeting in Washington with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and other officials, US vice-president JD Vance noted the enduring relationship between the United States and Ireland.
“All of us in America - most of us, at least - have somebody who has this deep connection to that island on the other side of the Atlantic,” Vance said.
“We love it, and we admire it, and we cherish the incredible friendships that we have, and the great things that Ireland has done for the United States of America.”
Referencing the shamrock socks he wore at the White House for last year’s St Patrick’s Day event, Vance said he today opted to wear something “slightly more muted”.
More on the theme of socks, he said there were “Donegal-style wool socks” in the gift bag for guests.
On a more serious note, Vance told Martin: “We are thrilled to have you, very, very grateful for your friendship and very, very grateful for everything that unites the people of Ireland with the United States of America.”
Turning to the Middle East for a moment, Israel on Tuesday claimed to have killed Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani.
Also, a senior Iranian official said the country’s new supreme leader had rejected de-escalation offers conveyed by intermediaries, demanding Israel and the US first be “brought to their knees”.
The senior official said two intermediary countries had conveyed proposals to Iran’s foreign ministry for “reducing tensions or ceasefire with the United States”. The official did not give further details of the proposals or the intermediaries.
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who held his first foreign policy session since being named supreme leader, had responded that it was not “the right time for peace until the United States and Israel are brought to their knees, accept defeat, and pay compensation”, the official said.
He did not clarify whether Khamenei, who has not yet been pictured since being named last week to replace his slain father, had attended the meeting in person or remotely.
The US-Israeli war on Iran is now in its third week, with at least 2,000 people killed and no end in sight.
The Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed off and US allies have rebuffed US president Donald Trump’s calls for them to help to reopen the vital waterway, through which about 20 per cent of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows.
- Reuters
Before travelling to Washington, the Taoiseach took part in the Philadelphia St Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday.
“The strength and vibrancy of the Irish-American community here, and the welcome they’ve given, has been incredible,” he said in a post on X.
Many people are eager to see the type of welcome Micheál Martin will receive in the White House today.
As we await the start of the festivities across the pond, here is some interesting reading from Political Correspondent Jack Horgan-Jones and Political Editor Pat Leahy.
Donald Trump’s ambassador to Ireland warned the Government last year that businesses had begun moving their future investments out of Ireland.
As Taoiseach Micheál Martin attended a day of events intended to promote US-Ireland business links in Washington on Monday, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) files released under freedom-of-information laws showed that during a meeting with Tánaiste Simon Harris last July, US ambassador Edward S Walsh “referred to contacts in business who are moving their investment pipeline out of Ireland”.
The documents, drawn up by Irish officials, show that Walsh told Harris, then minister for foreign affairs, this included “data centres due to future energy needs” and that he “also referred to planning-related challenges”.
In response, the Tánaiste told Walsh that Ireland was developing a new liquefied natural gas facility, and flagged reforms to planning laws.
Read the full story here.
Martin praises ‘enduring bond’ between Ireland and US
Ahead of his meeting with Trump, the Taoiseach has attended a number of events and he was cheered on Sunday at an event at the residence of Ireland’s Ambassador to the US as he congratulated the nation’s rugby team on winning the Six Nations Triple Crown at the weekend.
At that event Martin described being back in Washington, DC, for St Patrick’s Day as an honour.
He joked he would add his thanks to England for “doing their very, very best to enable us to win the championship”, with reference to their narrow defeat to France, which saw Ireland miss out on the Six Nations title with the final kick of the competition.
Martin arrived in the US capital on Sunday evening following two days in Philadelphia, where he was marking the contribution of Irish people to the building of the country 250 years on from the signing of the US Declaration of Independence.
Editorial: Peril in the court of the mad king
The political sensitivities of a meeting with Trump are laid out in an Irish Times Editorial.
“Despite calls from some members of the Opposition for Martin to speak out against the war during his trip, that seems improbable. There have already been some careful words about the merits of negotiation and diplomacy, but there is little prospect of the Taoiseach being drawn on the legality of the campaign.
“President Connolly’s statement eight days ago condemning the conflict as a violation of international law will not be echoed in the Oval Office, nor at any of the other celebratory events over the course of the day. As the Government made clear last week, it bears sole responsibility for how the State conducts its foreign policy.
“The calculation is that there is little to be gained and much to lose from provoking the unpredictable occupant of the White House. Those who decry this as moral cowardice are generally not faced with making the very real and consequential choices confronting the leader of a small country unusually dependent on its economic relationship with the US.”
Dressing-down of Volodymyr Zelenskiy
The notorious dressing-down of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy in the White House in February 2025 has solidified into a sort of behavioural coda for all heads of state entering the bear pit of the Trump Oval Office, writes Keith Duggan.
The message was made clear to all visiting dignitaries that day: you don’t have the cards, you listen more than you speak. And when you speak, best say only nice things.
You enter US president Donald Trump’s orbit, which is to perform a limited cameo role – with few lines – in the rolling reality television show that is the 47th presidency.
Read the full article here.
Martin to meet Trump at White House
Taoiseach Micheál Martin is preparing for a bilateral meeting with US president Donald Trump this afternoon.
The Taoiseach will also meet US vice-president JD Vance as part of the leader of Ireland’s traditional visit to Washington, DC.
In terms of logistics, Martin is due to meet Vance for breakfast at around at 1pm (Irish time), before meeting Trump at the White House at 3pm (Irish time). Martin will then head to the US Congress for a formal lunch at 5pm (Irish time), before the shamrock ceremony at about 9.20pm (Irish time).
Martin’s Oval Office encounter with Trump is expected to touch on a range of topics, including “deep ties” between the two countries.
Last year’s meeting saw the US president take questions from reporters for almost an hour.
However, the Taoiseach has faced criticism from some quarters about meeting with Trump following the US and Israel’s attack on Iran.
