St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast Vance Hosts Irish Prime Minister

Vice President JD Vance welcomed Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin to the Vice Presidential Residence on Wednesday morning for a St. Patrick’s Day breakfast, underscoring the deep historical and cultural ties between the United States and Ireland. The event served as the first stop in Martin’s visit to Washington, where he later met with President Donald Trump at the White House.

Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance greeted the Irish leader and his wife at the Naval Observatory, where Irish music played as guests dined on traditional Irish fare.

“One of the things that we try to do with this breakfast is just remind people of the important bonds of friendship between the United States and Ireland,” Vance remarked. “I think it’s a great opportunity to do that.”

Several high-profile figures attended the gathering, including:

• Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

• Maine Senator Susan Collins (R)

• Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and his wife

Adding a touch of humor to the morning, Vance joked about his shamrock socks, warning Martin that President Trump, known for his preference for conservative dress, might have something to say about them.

After the breakfast, Martin met with President Trump in the Oval Office, where the two leaders discussed global security, particularly the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Martin praised Trump’s leadership, calling the war “devastating” and emphasizing the importance of peace initiatives to stop the bloodshed.

“Anything we can do to stop the violence is an extremely positive thing,” Martin stated, signaling Ireland’s support for efforts to bring the conflict to an end.

Later in the day, President Trump is set to attend a Friends of Ireland Luncheon at the U.S. Capitol before hosting an official St. Patrick’s Day Reception at the White House. These events continue the long tradition of celebrating the strong U.S.-Ireland alliance, a relationship built on deep cultural ties, trade partnerships, and shared values.

Vice President Vance’s breakfast and President Trump’s leadership highlight the strong and enduring bond between America and Ireland. As global challenges continue to emerge, this relationship remains a cornerstone of diplomacy and security cooperation.

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