Taoiseach begins St Patrick’s trip to the US today

Taoiseach Micheál Martin will today begin a five-day official visit to the US to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.

All eyes are likely to be on Mr Martin’s visit to the White House on Wednesday evening for the traditional shamrock bowl presentation, which he will make to US president Donald Trump.

Mr Martin will be the first international leader to visit the president since his fiery public confrontation with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy two weeks ago.

The two leaders are expected to have a private bilateral meeting before a press conference in the Oval Office.

Discussions are expected to cover a broad agenda of issues, including the ties between the two countries, with the Taoiseach likely to focus on the economic relationship — with Ireland being the sixth-largest investor into the US, and Irish firms employing some 120,000 people there.

Although there are points of controversy with Mr Trump, Mr Martin is expected to raise the war in Ukraine and the situation in Gaza.

The Taoiseach will also likely update Mr Trump on the situation in Northern Ireland, recognising the US contribution to the peace process there.

Mr Martin’s US visit will begin today in Austin, Texas, where he will have a series of engagements as well as attending SXSW festival.

He will meet with the governor of the state of Texas, Greg Abbott, and he will visit the HQ of Dell — a long-time employer in Ireland.

He will also visit Tricentis, a US software company which currently employs 18 people in Cork.

Ahead of his trip, Mr Martin said St Patrick’s Day offered an opportunity to celebrate Ireland’s international connections and partnerships — which, he said, enrich both Ireland and its partners overseas.

“The US is one of Ireland’s strongest partners, a partnership built on a rich foundation of ancestral ties and close economic, diplomatic, and political links,” he said.