US President Barack Obama and Irish PM Enda Kenny [met] in the Oval Office to discuss immigrants in the U.S., and Britain’s position in the EU…
‘It is not quite St Patrick’s Day yet, but nevertheless, we always like an excuse to celebrate our Irish heritage,’ said the president, sporting a green tie as he sat next to Mr Keeny while addressing the media.
(Irish Times, March 15, 2016)
Obama hosted a reception at the White House (complete with the annual Shamrock presentation), and delivered a keynote address on Capitol Hill to celebrate his eighth St. Patrick’s Day as president.
Given that, so much for this Irish fantasy:
US President Barack Obama looks set to celebrate his last St. Patrick’s Day in office in Ireland.
Discussions are underway regarding the possibility of a return visit from the US President who first visited Ireland in 2011.
If Obama does return to the Emerald Isle for the festivities, he will become the first US President to spend St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland, breaking a long tradition in which the Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach) travels to the White House for the feast day.
(Irish Central, July 25, 2015)
Sorry, Ireland.
But this is just as well. After all, it spared the Taoiseach an awkward conflict: hosting Obama in Ireland or attending an important meeting in Brussels:
St. Patrick’s Day is being celebrated at the White House early this year as the Taoiseach must attend an important European Council meeting in Brussels on March 17th.
(The White House, March 11, 2016)
For the record, if Obama and Kenny had made plans for Obama to return to the Emerald Isle as indicated, Kenny would’ve have blown off that meeting, or prevailed upon his fellow EU leaders to postpone it. Believe it or not, the imperial majesty of the U.S. presidency commands such deference – even with a black as president.
All the same, the Irish can be forgiven for feeling a little green with envy as they watch Obama head to Cuba next week (March 21-22) for a different first: He will become the first sitting U.S. president to set foot on that Communist Isle in 80 years.
Incidentally, apropos of being forgiven, with the White House celebrating tomorrow’s St. Patrick’s Day yesterday, I trust I can be for commenting today.
May the luck of the Irish be with you!