Taoiseach Enda Kenny today attended the annual St Patrick's Day reception at the Whitehouse, hosted by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. The Taoiseach presented the President with the traditional bowl of shamrock and both leaders addressed the reception.
Watch the full video of the reception, including the Taoiseach and President's speeches below:
The Taoiseach said:
Our warmest congratulations on your second term.
Perhaps there’ll be a second visit ‘home’ before too long.
For generations now there’s been a special relationship between The President of the United States and the Irish people...
The Taoiseach spoke of Irish economic recovery:
Mr President a chairde Gael there’s still a way to go on our national journey of recovery.
But tonight I’m proud to say here at the White House.
That confidence is returning to our country our people.
Here this evening with this bowl that contains the traditional gift of shamrock we have a perfect example of that new confidence that new hope.
Unlike ‘the bowl of bitter tears’ of James Joyce and President Kennedy. This bowl made by Sean Egan in a 300-hour labour-of-love sparkles with the story of who we are now.
It glistens with the story of what we once brought here on this risky yet life-giving journey to America. Not alone those memories of place and home and family. But our songs our music our stories. Sung recited ‘til they were threadbare.
So that new generations so many of you here could make them your own.
Just as we Irish made our own of America today in Ireland we do as we have always done.
As a nation we make joy from sadness. As a country we forge success from difficulty. As a Republic we create ourselves anew.
The Taoiseach concluded:
For all we build for all we make in politics or finance or business or economics. We know that our real wealth is in the reserves of love and kindness of insight and understanding of courage and compassion.
So carefully, often painfully accrued.
As we celebrate St Patrick let us build on those reserves to build better nations better people a better world.
There, here, Mr President ‘the sun is new every day’.
May it shine brightly on our peoples and on all that we undertake together in the cause of each other.
Read the Taoiseach's full speech here.