For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, St. Patrick’s Day tradition will be celebrated in the white house, Biden also frequently mentions his Irish heritage.
Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will be hosted by President Joe Biden at the White House on Friday. This will mark the return of the St. Patrick’s Day tradition.
A presidential visit to Northern Ireland to commemorate the upcoming anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, which the United States assisted in brokering 25 years ago to put an end to decades of sectarian violence, is anticipated.
The St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, which included a green-dyed White House fountain, are taking place just before that trip. Although the White House hasn’t made any official announcements, Biden stated earlier this week that he wants to attend the visit.
The president referred to the visit as “a momentous day” during a private discussion with the Taoiseach, or Irish prime minister, in the Oval Office.
According to Biden, Ireland and the United States have a long history of friendship and shared traditions.
The president also mentioned his support for the Windsor Framework and promised that they would talk about it when they next met. Also, Biden commended Varadkar for their collaboration on the Ukraine conflict and economic problems.
Biden will leave the White House later on Friday to go to Capitol Hill for the Friends of Ireland Caucus St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon.
And on Friday night,
Varadkar will once more be hosted by the White House for a Shamrock presentation and reception, which will also feature a performance by former One Direction member Niall Horan.
Varadkar was welcomed by Vice President Kamala Harris at the Naval Observatory on Friday.
On St. Patrick’s Day, the Irish Taoiseach has generally had a standing invitation to the White House.
Due to the coronavirus outbreak, Biden and former Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin had a virtual St. Patrick’s Day celebration in 2021. Moreover, Martin tested positive for Covid-19 the year before while attending a Washington dinner where Biden gave a speech the evening before the White House’s planned St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
A presidential trip to Northern Ireland to commemorate the historic Good Friday Agreement’s 25th anniversary has long been rumored. Barack Obama traveled to Belfast as the last US president in 2013.
