Newstalk reporter Jamie O'Hara reports from Washington DC where Micheàl Martin and Donald Trump will meet for the annual Shamrock Ceremony.

An Taoiseach's visit to the White House for 3 pm Tuesday Dublin time for the annual Shamrock bowl ceremony. 

After a tumultuous fifth year in office, President Trump is receiving An Taoiseach Micheal Martin at the White House for St Patrick’s Day.  

With the war in Iran, sky-high oil prices and social unrest as a backdrop, the meeting is thought to take place on shaky ground.  

“Ireland must be one of the very few countries with a more or less a standing invite to come to the White House every year for these bilateral discussions: that holds some power”, said Newstalk reporter Jamie O’Hara from Washington DC. 

“President Trump is known to spring a few surprises such as the tariffs last year, Conor McGregor at the White House last St. Patrick's Day. 

“If [Conor McGregor] is at the White House, that probably wouldn't be a surprise for the Taoiseach and his team, they would have factored that in at this stage. 

He told Newstalk Late Breakfast’s Clare McKenna on Tuesday that Micheál Martin will be aiming to grab Donald Trump's attention by highlighting the deep links between the two countries. 

“The business trade links and even the dollar amounts that Ireland contributes and the number of people here in the US employed by Irish firms.

“If his speeches over the past few days are anything to go by, he'll be highlighting the positives of that close relationship.”

The Strategy for An Taoiseach's visit to the White House

The Taoiseach attended the Ireland Funds Gala last night, where he spoke in front of hundreds of people. 

The fund is celebrating 50 years this year and is a philanthropic group that last night it was announced it had raised one hundred and five million dollars.

Over its 50 years, it was said it raised over 750 million dollars, which is a testament to the power of the Irish over there. 

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was among those in attendance as well as Stripe co-founder Patrick Collison, a few TDs and people involved in business groups in Cork. 

Newstalk reporter Jamie O’Hara was told former Taoiseach Enda Kenny was also present. 

The skyline of Washington DC on the Potomac River in April 2015. Image: Sean Pavone / Alamy Stock Photo

The Taoiseach addressed the room for the keynote address, saying: “All of us active participants, believers, builders, patrons, our contributions have endured. 

“It lives on today. Irish workers built railroads, fought fires, tended to and healed the sick and kept communities safe. Irish families shaped cities, communities and civic institutions. Irish Americans defended the union. They served in Congress.

“Some 23 men of Irish heritage have served in the very highest office of this land in the White House. Irish men and women contributed to the struggle for civil rights. As we can see so clearly here tonight, they have moved into positions of influence all across this land.”

O’Hara acknowledged the anticipation about the meeting and how Donald Trump could be an unpredictable voice. 

“It’s hard to know how this meeting will go”, he told Newstalk.

“Even if this is a 10 or 15-minute meeting, this will be Micheál Martin's laser focus.”

Main Image: Taoiseach Micheál Martin with US President Donald Trump at the annual shamrock ceremony. Picture by: Tasos Katopodis.