“I THINK HE should play his game, you know. Represent the people of Ireland, get the best out of Trump that he can for the people of Ireland.” 

This was the pragmatic advice offered from the sidelines of the Boston St Patrick’s Day parade by Irish American Conor Murphy for Taoiseach Michéal Martin, ahead of his meeting with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday. 

Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee took part in the Boston parade today during her trip to the city for the Irish Government’s international St Patrick’s Day programme.

While here, The Journal took the opportunity to catch up with Irish Americans who had come out in their droves for the parade. 

In particular, we wanted to hear what advice they had for Taoiseach Micheál Martin as he prepared to meet US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday, as part of the now traditional visit and shamrock ceremony.  

As has been the norm in recent years, the upcoming visit is controversial, with many Irish people uncomfortable with the Taoiseach offering Trump a bowl of shamrock in light of (among other things) his military actions in the Middle East and his crackdown on immigration in the US. 

The Taoiseach will be walking a difficult tightrope as he attempts to adequately portray Irish sentiment, while at the same time not provoking an outburst from Trump and damaging Irish-US relations. 

On the sidelines of the St Patrick’s Day parade in South Boston, where a million people came out to join the festivities, Irish Americans were eager to impart some wisdom on the Taoiseach.
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Irish American Christine Mary Flynn could not speak more highly of the Irish when we approached her. 

“We love all of the counties of Ireland, North and South. I actually lived in Ireland for three summers and had one heck of a craic. And I have to tell you, there’s nothing like the Irish people,” she told The Journal. 

“They’re the smartest people on the earth. They’re the wittiest without even knowing it and they are always up for fun. And in these days, and what’s going on in the world, we need to have fun. And God bless the Irish.” 

Asked what her advice would be for the Taoiseach as he prepared for his visit to the White House on Tuesday, Flynn kept it short: “I would just say, up the Republic.”

She added: “I’ve no idea what that would mean to Donald Trump, I have no idea.”

A short distance up from Flynn, a young group of college-aged men were enjoying the parade with a few beers. 

Asked for their advice, one of the group said: “Just be polite, be respectful. It’s all I can ask for, we’re all friends at the end of the day.”

“Be a man,” his friend added. 

“Yeah, exactly!,” the first man agreed.

Across the street, a young group of women, one of whom said her mother’s maiden name was Donnelly, told The Journal they were “sending love to the mainland.”

Asked what advice they have for the Taoiseach, the women also kept it brief: “Good luck, that man is an idiot,” one of the group said. 

John and Adrienne, two Irish Americans, travelled up from Oregon for the parade.

Their advice for Martin as he prepared to meet Trump on Tuesday was to “let him have it”. 

“Tell him what’s up,” Adrienne said, “End fascism. Get your boot off our necks. Be about American freedom.” 

John and Adrienne from Oregon The Journal The Journal

Others at the parade just wanted to enjoy the festivities. 

“No comment. We do not comment on that,” One young man said, adding: “Thank you, and happy St Patrick’s Day!”