The Reason Ireland’s Leaders Visit Washington on St. Patrick’s Day
TL/DR –
The St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Washington, D.C. this year are significant because of the presence of political leaders from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, including the newly appointed First Minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O’Neill. This visit symbolizes a century of U.S.-Irish diplomatic relations, during which the U.S. has played a crucial role in resolving conflicts in British-Irish relations. The annual event is also a time for the two sides to discuss important issues such as trade, higher education, and tourism.
Historic St. Patrick’s Day in Washington With Irish Leaders
This year’s St. Patrick’s Day in Washington, D.C., is set to be historic. On March 17, political heads from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, including the newly appointed First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, will join the festivities. They will discuss the recent power-sharing government in Northern Ireland and the potential for a referendum on Irish reunification.
Critics Question Irish Leaders’ Visit Amid Gaza Conflict
Critics have scrutinized the annual “shuttle diplomacy” of Irish leaders amidst the U.S. support for Israel’s war in Gaza, which is unpopular in Ireland. However, history validates the capital importance of these visits, which have often played pivotal roles in resolving recurring conflicts, particularly the “Irish Question”.
The Role of U.S.-Irish Diplomatic Relations in Irish State Creation
With 2023 marking a century of U.S.-Irish diplomatic relations, we recall how Irish leaders, facing censorship and military repression in the early 20th century, leveraged the political and press freedoms in Washington to promote the Irish cause. American politicians and influential Irish-American political groups supported this cause, thereby significantly influencing the creation of an independent Irish state. Read More: Biden’s Visit to Northern Ireland
U.S. Influence in Irish Politics Post-Independence
The U.S. continued to play significant roles in Irish politics post-independence. In 1924, U.S. President Calvin Coolidge invited T.A. Smiddy to present his credentials as Ireland’s envoy, marking the formalization of diplomatic relations. The Kellogg-Briand Pact and first Irish state visit to Washington both followed soon.
U.S. Politicians’ Role During “The Troubles”
During the bitter 30-year conflict in Northern Ireland, known as “The Troubles”, Irish-American political leaders held British rule to account in Washington. This attention to Washington was crucial to achieving peace in Northern Ireland. Read More: An Irish Nationalist Will Lead Northern Ireland’s Government for the First Time
Continued U.S. Influence in Irish Politics Post-Brexit
With Brexit causing fresh uncertainty, the U.S. continues to play a pivotal role in Irish politics. Washington’s political culture continues to inspire political change in Ireland, which is evident from initiatives such as the Washington Ireland Program that nurtures aspiring leaders from both nationalist and unionist communities.
Conclusion
As history moulds the significance of Irish political visits to Washington, this St Patrick’s Day could, in the words of poet Seamus Heaney, see hope and history rhyme once again.
Darragh Gannon is Associate Director of Global Irish Studies at Georgetown University. His latest book is Conflict, Diaspora, and Empire: Irish nationalism in Britain, 1912-1922 (Cambridge University Press, 2023).
This article is part of Made by History, a series written and edited by professional historians. Learn more about Made by History at TIME here. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors.
—
Read More US Political News