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LAST UPDATE | 17 Mar
TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN touched on the issue of tariffs and stressed the need for dialogue and de-escalation in the Middle East as he delivered a speech before presenting the traditional bowl of shamrock to US President Donald Trump in the White House this evening.
A joint press conference by the two leaders at the Oval Office this afternoon was dominated by the war in Iran, with Trump also telling reporters he’s “going to try” and visit Ireland for the Irish Open golf tournament in September.
Martin also met with Vice President JD Vance over breakfast in Washington today.
And in a surprise appearance, former president Joe Biden spoke at an Irish-American breakfast event in Boston.
- Updates by Daragh Brophy (tonight) and Nicky Ryan (this afternoon) with Cliodhna Travers, Jane Matthews in Boston and Christina Finn in Washington DC
Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh! Nicky Ryan here, and I’ll be bringing you updates as Micheál Martin makes his traditional St Patrick’s Day rounds across Washington DC.
Helping me will be our Political Editor Christina Finn, who is on the ground in the US.
The rough running order for today will be a breakfast with US vice president JD Vance around now at 12.30pm Irish time, before Martin skips across to the White House for his bilateral meeting with Donald Trump at 2.45pm.
A quick bite to eat the Congressional Friends of Ireland luncheon at 4pm, before the traditional shamrock ceremony at 8pm.
Washington DC is four hours behind Ireland. Time zones are, quite frankly, terrifying and confusing things, so I’ll leave the calculations to you at home if you wish to figure out the local timings.
Christina Finn’s analysis of what Martin’s gameplay likely is for today can be boiled down to, simply, ‘don’t rock the boat’.
“The feeling is that Trump would not take constructive criticism well,” Christina writes.
“Asking questions about his foreign policy choices might also poke the bear.”
“That is why Martin has been pretty clear since he arrived in the US about how he plans to proceed with Trump.
“Basically, don’t be expecting Martin to put his head above the parapet.”
An update from Christina:
“The Taoiseach has left Blair House where he has been staying while in Washington DC. It’s across the road from the White House and you might recall it’s where Leo Varadkar stood outside when he announced Ireland’s first Covid lockdown.
“Taoiseach Micheal Martin is having breakfast in the Naval Observatory which is the home of US vice president JD Vance and his wife.
There will be brief remarks by the vice president and Taoiseach and then Martin will leave for the White House where he will meet US President Donald Trump around 10.45am US time.”
And here they are now, with Mary O’Shea and Usha Vance.
When I hear about Micheál Martin visting the White House, it’s hard not to immediately recall the days when he tried and failed to do exactly that during the dark days of Covid.
Travel restrictions meant the Taoiseach had to video call in to the 2021 Oval Office meeting.
And then again, when Martin did actually make it to the US, but ended up testing positive while there in 2022.
He is unlikely to appear as a floating head on a screen today. But who knows? He’s had a bad run of luck, like.
The breakfast meeting is underway, and… JD Vance is wearing shamrock socks. Again. Sigh.
PA Media photographer Niall Carson snapped this close up.
At least they are a little less obscene and more muted than last year.
Our Political Correspondent Jane Matthews is also over in the US and is reporting on proceedings in Boston, where Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee was dispatched to. This morning, McEntee is the keynote speaker at a breakfast hosted by the Irish American Partnership.
“The event brings together over 400 people from business, politics and the Irish community,” Jane says.
“Dr Nora Patten, who is set to make history by becoming the first Irish person to travel to space, is also due to speak at today’s event as the guest of honour.”
“Also: we’re also told a VIP secret guest is on the way. More details to follow.”
Who could it be? Answers on the back of a postcard, please.
Oh. Oh dear.
The Taoiseach found himself quizzed on negative media coverage about the Ireland-US relationship when appearing on Fox News for an interview last night during his Washington visit. My colleague Eoghan Dalton has more here.
We’ve more details now of the speeches that Vance and Martin gave at the breakfast meeting.
Vance gave a few nods to Irish-American ties, with Ronald Reagan (“a great Irishman and a great President”) and Stripe co-founder Patrick Collison (“one of the great entrepreneurs in the United States today”) among those to receive shoutouts. And yes, he spoke about those socks, again.
Can we move on from the socks? Please.
Martin was more keen to tap into the deeper historical ties, like Commodore John Barry, father of the US Navy and a Wexford man, and credited General Stephen Moylan from Cork with first coining the term United States of America.
He quoted Robert Emmet’s 1803 Speech from the Dock, made at his trial before he was sentenced to death for his role in leading a failed rebellion against British rule, drawing that direct link between the revolutionary struggles of both the US and Ireland:
“I wish to procure for my country the guarantee which Washington procured for America.”
He also got the economic message in (Ireland is now the fifth largest foreign investor in the USA, he said) and the peace message (“The story of peace on the island of Ireland is one we crafted together, America’s unwavering support over decades on both sides of the island made this possible”).
Also from this morning’s breakfast meeting: the Taoiseach said children from “rich and diverse traditions” across the island of Ireland have “made their mark”.
It’s not hard to see which US political button he is pressing:
“Throughout the 250 years since America proudly raised the flag for freedom, Ireland’s sons and daughters sought to repay the gift of opportunity through service to their new homeland.
“Irish workers helped craft the skylines of America’s great cities and fortify the fabric of communities across the land.
“Immigrants from my home county of Cork moved to Ohio, where they built the roads, canals and railways, which literally laid the foundations of American greatness.
“The Scots-Irish who mostly came to Pennsylvania and the Appalachians – an area very close to your heart – brought not only their strong work ethic, but also fiddle tunes, which melded with the African-American banjo to gift to the world bluegrass.
“As firefighters, police officers, nurses, farmers and presidents – 23 of whom have had Irish heritage – our exiled children from all the rich and diverse traditions across our island have made their mark on this proud land.”
Here’s an unexpected appearance.
The special guest Jane Matthews heard whispers of earlier? Turns out it was one Joe Biden, who is now making a speech at the Irish American Partnership breakfast in Boston.
From Jane:
Quoting Seamus Heaney, who he described as a friend, Biden centred his remarks on a message of hope for the future.
“History says, don’t hope on this side of the grave. But then, once in a lifetime the longed-for tidal wave of justice can rise up, and hope and history rhyme.”
Do you think Biden will crash the Oval Office meeting as well? How long a drive is it from Boston to Washington DC?
Martin presented Vance with a copy of Ireland’s most-gifted-but-least-read novel during their meeting this morning.
“They say a week is a long time in politics, but one of the greatest Irish writers, James Joyce, laid bare so much about the human soul in just one day,” Martin said.
“Above all, his book, Ulysses is, of course, a journey. A journey through Dublin, the journey into the meaning that can be found in the everyday, and at some level, a journey home.
“As we continue our own journeys, I’m pleased to present you with a special edition of this masterpiece, and it is our hope that this literary token of Dublin recalls happy memories of your and Usha’s road trip around Ireland and encourages you and your growing family to make a return journey in the not too distant future.”
Christina is among the gaggle of reporters being funneled through the White House right now.
Okay, forget Biden. We need to move on, immediately, because look who just turned up at the St Patrick’s Day parade in Maynooth.
He has risen, after being exiled from Temple Bar by Dublin City Council.
Dan Mulhall, the former ambassador of Ireland to the United States, has a positive take on how the day is going so far.
“The bonhomie between VP Vance & @MichealMartinTD augurs well for the rest of the day in DC,” he said in a post on X.
“Suggests there’s no ambush being laid for Taoiseach in the Oval Office although mishaps can always happen.”
We shall see.
(Sidebar: bonhomie, great word.)
New information from a tipster: “Just letting you know the 15ft St Patrick statue will be leading the Celbridge parade at 4pm today.”
I promise I will stop talking about this statue once the Oval Office meeting begins.
In news that will surprise absolutely no one, Joe Biden quoted Seamus Heaney during his surprise appearance earlier.
Could there be a slight delay to Martin and Trump’s meeting because someone’s busy posting on social media? And what a post it is.
Trump has said that Nato allies have told the US they don’t want to be involved in the military operation against Iran.
He added that the US no longer needs or wants NATO’s help (“WE NEVER DID”) and extends that to Japan, Australia, and South Korea.
He closed with: “WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE.”
This is a big, big escalation in rhetoric against Nato. Right as Martin is about to walk into the Oval Office. You’d hope he has some notes prepared on military non-alignment.
The Oval Office meeting is about to start – you can tune in using the live stream at the top of this blog.
Here we go.
“We have a tremendous trade relationship with Ireland, and we’ll keep it that way,” Trump says.
“I think it’s going to be expanded very greatly. Probably they want to talk a little bit about tariffs, but I won’t mention that.”
Martin again highlighting the deep connection between Ireland and the US, going big on the immigration side of the conversation:
“[By facilitating this visit], you’re affirming the tremendous bonds between Ireland and the United States that go back to the very foundation of this republic. 45 million people in this country claim Irish descent and Irish heritage.”
Trump particularly enjoying Martin discussing the Irish heritage of US presidents: “You told me something before there was maybe the most interesting of all, how many presidents are, in some way related through blood with Ireland.” 23, he says.
The Kennedys come up, with a refernce to RFK. “We like the family, one person in particular,” Trump says.
Trump asked about Iran, discussed the extent of US attacks and the lack of support of allied countries: “I think NATO is making a very foolish mistake.”
Trump on the expansion of Doonbeg being held up concerns over protecting a rare snail species: “I have not heard that.”
That snail is about to get a lot of international attention…
More on the Nato comments from the Press Associaton:
Asked what assistance the US needed from Nato allies, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office: “We don’t need any help actually.”
“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.”
Right now, the attention is very much on Iran, with Martin looking a little meek beside Trump.
He has repeated false claims around a 757 being essentially stuffed with cash and sent to Iran by Barack Obama, one of his many detours so far in this meeting.
Reporter: [It has been suggested that] if you put boots on the ground in Iran, it will be another Vietnam. Are you afraid of that?
Trump: No, I’m not afraid of anything.
Getting closer to home, as Trump is asked about Keir Starmer, and if his lack of support in Iran has damaged the relationship.
“I’m disappointed in him, I like him but I’m disappointed in him,” Trump says, before highlighting the bust of Winston Churchill in the Oval Office.
“Keir is not Winston Churchill.”
The mention of the United Kingdom prompted Martin to cut through the cacophony of reporters shouting questions and wade in (finally) with his own comments.
The main takeaways:
Trump agreed with Martin’s remarks but quickly pivoted to his grievance that Europe doesn’t pull its weight.
He acknowledged that everyone agrees Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon, then launched into a tangent comparing Iran’s leadership to Hitler.
He then shifted to frustration over the mine threat from Iran, noting that European countries supported US strikes but wouldn’t send minesweepers to help with the shipping situation.
Trump: “I think the people in Ireland are very happy that I’m getting rid of [a nuclear power].
“And as soon as that war is over, which will be soon, your [energy] prices are going to drop like a rock. You watch.”
A reporter attempts to ask Trump about Catherine Connolly’s recent comments, but he can’t hear and moves on.
Martin back in again, pushed back against the narrative from Trump in response to a previous queston that Europe is being overrun.
He then made a direct pitch to Trump: he’d love to develop a formal legal migration pathway between the US and Ireland in future:
“You have to have robust rules for that. But fundamentally, I think sometimes Europe gets characterised wrongly in terms of it being overrun or whatever like that.”
A reporter goes for the Connolly question again and manages to get Trump’s attention, asking about her condemning the violations of international law in the Middle East.
“He’s lucky I exist,” he said, getting off to a pretty damn bad start.
It goes down a classic Trump stream-of-consciousness hill from there: expressed disappointment in NATO and other countries for not doing enough; mentioned the Obama plane full of cash again; there could have been a ‘nuclear holocaust’ if he hadn’t terminated the Iran deal; Iran would have had nuclear weapons in as little as two week if the US hadn’t attacked uranium enrichment facilities and “I believe it would have been a much different world than it is” if that had happened.
That wasn’t a disaster, although Trump really and truly dominated it, as expected. Martin’s comments – when he was able to make them – were clear and concise, but didn’t seem to make much of an impact on Trump.
But the big one?
The Taoiseach said Trump was ‘doing his bit’ to achieve peace in the Middle East.
I have a feeling that’s going to come back to bite him on the…
One of the first takes from our Political Editor Christina Finn after emerging from the Oval Office:
“One for the books that the Taoiseach jumped in to defend Starmer.”
Let’s look back on that a bit closer: it was after Trump criticised the UK prime minister for not doing enough to support the US on Iran.
“Keir was willing to send two aircraft carriers after we won, because essentially, there’s no threat for the aircraft carriers right now… so, yeah, I’m disappointed with him. I like him. I think he’s a nice man, but I’m disappointed.”
Trump then focused on the Churchill bust, before Martin hopped in, giving him the old ‘I just want to make a number of points’.
The key part of his contribution:
“Keir Starmer has done a lot to reset the Irish-British relationship. I just want to put that on the record. I do believe that he is a very earnest, sound person.”
A touch of: hey, you’re not allowed to slag them, only we are!
Smile! Look happy!
Independent journalist Aaron Rupar has seen a lot of Trump clips.
And I mean, a lot: if you’re not familiar with him, he is one of the most prolific sharers of videos of the president, posting snippets of interviews and speeches whenever Trump pops up on news media.
Martin’s comments on immmgration ‘to Trump’s face’ elicited a ‘wow’ from him, and it appears to be gaining a bit of traction in the States.
wow -- Micheál Martin makes a case to Trump's face in favor of immigration pic.twitter.com/KWBkgRi4IY
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 17, 2026
We have some reaction coming in now from political parties at home.
Remember I said the ‘doing his bit’ for peace in the Middle East comment was going to come back to haunt him? Well, maybe Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns is reading this liveblog (if so: hello, Deputy Cairns).
“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,” she 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.”
Our Editor Sinead O’Carroll has an important update from the St Patrick’s Day parade in Celbridge.
Guess who made a surprise appearance? Joe Biden!
Sorry wait, no, it was the Temple Bar St Patrick statue again.
Where will he appear next? Is there any stopping him now? Should we be scared?
A breakout story here from Political Correspondent Jane Matthews on Trump’s fuel comments, and his one simple message for Irish consumers.
And while all that was going on, the Trump admistraition saw a major resignation: Joseph Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Centre,
Kent said that he “cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran”.
A former member of the Green Beret special forces who served multiple combat tours, he also claimed that the US started the war “due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby”.
He is the first senior US official to resign from the Trump administration to protest the war against Iran.
Martin and Trump are now attending the Friends of Ireland luncheon, one of the rare occasions that the US president visits Capitol Hill (and, somehow, Ireland has managed to place itself at the centre of it).
With the Oval Office meeting over and the festivities moving on to the luncheon and, later, the Shamrock ceremony, we’re going to leave our live coverage of events in DC for now. Christina Finn will be tweeting all the latest from the rest of the evening.
A quick overview of the key points from Trump-Martin press conference:
And with that, I say good evening (or good afternoon, depending on the time zone, which I still refuse to get into or entertain) for the moment!
If you’re finding our coverage useful today, you can visit thejournal.ie/contribute to learn more about out how to support our work.
- Nicky
Micheál Martin is due to present Trump with the traditional crystal bowl of shamrock in the White House this evening.
The Taoiseach has been at the Friends of Ireland Luncheon, hosted by House Speaker Mike Johnson, since he and Trump spoke to the media at the Oval Office earlier on.
The event, Martin told the politicians gathered, has been “a proud tradition since its inception back in 1983, through the shared vision of President Reagan and Speaker Tip O’Neill”.
The Taoiseach once again hit his talking points about Irish investment in the US in between the usual mentions of historical links, shared values and lasting friendships.
“Today, across this great United States, more than 200,000 Americans go to work each morning in nearly 800 Irish-owned companies, operating in every sector, in every state.
“Ireland is the fifth largest foreign investor in the US,” Martin said.
Trump also spoke at the lunch.
US-based journalist Aaron Ruper live-tweeted his comments, which included this ad-libbed remark (about a United Ireland?) to Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.
Trump: "Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, and you get along so well. I don't know if I should be promoting mergers. I love mergers but we're gonna get in a little trouble. We're gonna get in more trouble with that." pic.twitter.com/ucJFePFgWh
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 17, 2026
Amongst the many, many things Trump spoke about during that luncheon was the tremendous job his son Eric has been doing running the hotel and golf links at Doonbeg in Co Clare.
Here are the full quotes – but, as so often with Trump, they make a whole lot more sense if you just watch the video.
“We’re gonna have the Irish Open at a property that happens to be owned by yours truly. But I have nothing to do with it. I own it but I don’t even like to talk to my son. He says, ‘Dad, we’re doing great!’ I’m allowed to. I’m allowed to run it. But I don’t choose to.
“‘Dad, we’re doing great.’ Eric calls up. He’s doing a good job. Do you like Eric? (Trump is addressing Micheál Martin here). I think so right? Who doesn’t like Eric? But he calls up. ‘Dad, we’re doing a great job in Ireland.’ ‘What’s going on?’ ‘Well we’re doing this and this.’ I say ‘don’t tell me about it I don’t want to know about it’.
“Of course if we were treated badly I’d let him (pointing at Martin again) know very quickly but … but I think you are very proud of what’s being done over there by the Trump Organization right? It’s one of the greatest places … one of the greatest golf courses in the world and it’s an honour to hold the Irish Open there.”
Trump: "We're gonna have the Irish Open at a property that happens to be owned by yours truly. But I have nothing to do with it. *crowd laughs* I own it but I don't even like to talk to my son. He says, 'Dad, we're doing great!' I'm allowed to. I'm allowed to run it. But I don't… pic.twitter.com/R35uBYmrli
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 17, 2026
Warm words for the Irish here from Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Wishing the Irish in Ireland and around the world a Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 17, 2026
Ukraine deeply appreciates Ireland’s significant support at the political, economic, and humanitarian level, as well as the shelter your country has given to thousands of Ukrainians.
May peace and…
The Ukrainian president has been on an official visit to London today, where he described the Iranian regime and Vladimir Putin’s Russia as “brothers in hatred”.
Ireland’s Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne has also been visiting the Ukrainian capital this week.
The Fianna Fáil TD spoke last night at the first official St Patrick’s Day reception in Ukraine since Ireland opened its embassy in 2021.
And we’re under way at the Shamrock Ceremony…
We’re back in the White House, behind a rope, watching guests enjoy glass of Guinness 😢 pic.twitter.com/S1Tg4UbIAY
— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) March 17, 2026
Some decidedly Darby O’Gill and the Little People-style music being played as the crowd warms up ahead of the remarks by the Taoiseach and Trump.
If you want to watch along, the event is being carried live on C-SPAN and on the official White House Youtube channel.
There’s been no sign of any surprise guests in the audience at the shamrock event, according to Christina.
There were reports earlier this week that Conor McGregor was in Washington for the St Patrick’s celebrations.
McGregor, of course, made a controversial appearance at the Oval Office this time last year.
Trump has begun his remarks, touching first on the war in Iran and paying tribute to the troops before pivoting to how the construction of his new ballroom is going and telling the Taoiseach there’s a “knockout panel” behind a curtain, where the work is going on.
His wife keeps complaining about the construction noise but it’s worth it.
Okay, back to the script now apparently…
Trump began reading from the script about Irish-American links but then began ad-libbing some of his oft-repeated points about Iran once again – their navy has been wiped out, their leadership are being taken out etc etc.
Okay he’s back on the script again now, paying warm tribute to Martin and his wife, Mary.
As he did last year, Trump’s now paying tribute to various officials in the crowd with Irish-American links, including Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, the former WWE executive.
Another brief diversion off the script as Trump gives a shoutout to congressman Ronny Jackson, the former White House doctor who famously gave him glowing reports, following his annual physical.
Trump addressing the crowd, again raises the trade deficit between US and Ireland pic.twitter.com/htYZEW9f1x
— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) March 17, 2026
Trump continuing in his usual manner, going on and off script, with his comments and jokes going down well with a friendly crowd.
Martin delivering his speech now, telling Trump that the US Declaration of Independence had long ago inspired those seeking independence within Ireland.
Speaking of the 250th anniversary of the US, Martin said Irish people had been in America since the very beginning and that he hoped the United States would always remain the shining beacon on the hill.
“Mr President no fewer than 23 people of Irish descent have become American president,” Martin said, referring to how the “grit and grace” of the Irish had helped build the US.
Once again hitting his talking points about Irish investment in the US, Martin mentions how more than 200,000 Americans go to work each morning in nearly 800 Irish-owned companies and that Ireland is the fifth largest foreign investor in the US.
Briefly touching on Iran, he says Ireland believes in de-escalation and working towards peace.
Concluding his remarks, Martin again speaks of the close bonds between Ireland and the US before handing over the traditional crystal shamrock bowl.
Lots of smiles for the camera as the shamrock is presented.
Trump takes it, and chats away looking slightly bemused as if wondering (pretty fairly, let’s be honest) what he’s supposed to do with the gift.
Here are Martin’s comments on tariffs and the wars in Iran and Ukraine, from his speech:
“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.”
Taoiseach uses shamrock speech to address trade tariffs and peace in the Middle East. pic.twitter.com/upaesfh4wi
— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) March 17, 2026
That’s it from us for tonight – thanks for reading.
The Irish journalists have been ushered away from the party, but Christina will be back later with an analysis piece.
And that’s a wrap for Patrick’s Day 2026 - there’s champagne and glasses of Guinness still being drank. And an after-party for invited guests is happening later in Blair House.
— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) March 17, 2026
As for the media, we were brought out through the White House kitchen. pic.twitter.com/ydEV3NkrOo
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