Taoiseach ‘looking forward’ to featuring in Philadelphia St Patrick’s Day parade

Sun, 15 Mar, 2026 - 12:04

By Rebecca Black, Press Association in Philadelphia

Micheál Martin is “looking forward” to playing a prominent role in Philadelphia’s St Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday.

The Taoiseach has hailed long-standing connections between Ireland and the United States during his visit, which comes as part of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Martin started his visit on Saturday by laying a wreath to those who died and who emigrated during Ireland’s famine.

He later met Irish athletes following in the footsteps of Sonia O’Sullivan and Ronnie Delaney at Villanova University following a brief stop-off at the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, made famous by the Rocky films.

Speaking during an address to the Friendly Sons and Daughters of St Patrick’s 255th annual gala attended by 400 business and community leaders in the Pennsylvanian city on Saturday evening, the Taoiseach described his visit to Philadelphia as “regrettably short”, but even in that time he has been “amazed by the depth and enduring connections of the Irish American community”.

“It is clear that St Patrick’s Day is not just a day here, but a whole season of celebrations,” he said.

“I am especially looking forward to marching in the parade tomorrow alongside the community.

“As a representative of the Irish Government, it’s always a great source of pride to attend events around the world for St Patrick’s Day and to see first hand the achievements of our diaspora community and the love they still hold for Ireland.

“It’s that connection to home that makes the Irish community so impactful across the world and has been clearly evident to me in Philadelphia.”

Taoiseach Micheal Martin and his wife Mary Martin pose beneath the statue of Rocky Balboa at the East entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art — Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his wife Mary Martin pose beneath the statue of Rocky Balboa at the East entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (Niall Carson/PA)

He went on to describe Ireland’s relationship with the US as “one of our most important”.

“From famine relief to the long road toward peace in Northern Ireland, to more recent challenges such as Brexit and its consequences, Irish America has never forgotten Ireland and has been a consistent champion and supporter of our island,” he added.

Later, the Taoiseach will travel to Washington DC ahead of a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday and the annual Shamrock Ceremony.

Northern Ireland’s deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly is also set to go to Washington to engage with the president, while First Minister Michelle O’Neill and other Sinn Féin politicians are boycotting the White House.

Pressed about his meeting with Trump, the Taoiseach said the “fundamental core objective” is to “reflect and pay tribute to the generations of Irish people who came to America, who helped to build America and continue to make an enormous contribution to American society”.

“I have no doubt we will discuss global issues but also economic relationships between the US and Ireland, the US and Europe, and cultural issues also,” he said.