Ireland’s Taoiseach may have tested positive for COVID-19 by interrupting the shamrock launch ceremony, but President Joe Biden still managed to host a White House St. Patrick’s Day party with traditional dancing, one of the country’s most decorated rugby players, and a touch of Biden chatter.
Biden welcomed his guests, which included his American relatives as well as an Irish family, talking about what it means to be Irish and the ties between the two countries.
“My mother, being Irish, always told me that it was all about the family. It’s about faith and courage,” he said, explaining how she taught him that pride is the greatest of all virtues.
“I grew up Irish American and it gave me a pride that spoke on both continents.
“Heart and soul are drawn from old and new and the belief that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity.”
In addition to members of Congress and members of his administration, guests included Irish Ambassador to Washington Daniel Mulhall and Caroline Kennedy, the only remaining child of President John F. Kennedy.
President Joe Biden hosted the traditional St. Patrick’s Day shamrock ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Thursday with Hu
First lady Jill Biden revealed how the senator courted her, quoting Yeats. “To love Joe Biden is to know Ireland,” she said as she opened the event and introduced her husband.
Among the guests in the East Room of the White House were the American Biden family, relatives from Ireland and Caroline Kennedy, the last surviving child of President John F. Kennedy.
Irish dancers Cairde, famous for their viral Tik Tok videos, entertained the crowd.
Biden asked his County Louth relatives to stand up before singling out former rugby player Rob Kearney.
“That guy at the end is probably the most famous rugby player in all of Ireland and he scored the winning goal against the All Blacks when the game was in Chicago,” Biden said.
If anyone in the audience thought Kearney scored neither a try nor a penalty during that famous 2016 win, they didn’t show it.
But before the Irish music and dancing began, he also gave a serious message about the war in Ukraine.
“Vladimir Putin launched a shameless war against Ukraine against the very pillars of international peace and stability,” he said.
“And as two nations that fought for freedom, we recognize the courage and determination of the Ukrainian people, who are now defending their freedom.
“The Republic of Ireland and our people survived the war. However, we are determined to help the Ukrainian people put an end to Putin’s brutal attack.”
During the ceremony in the East Room of the White House, a huge shamrock bowl was in the spotlight.
It is usually presented to the president by a visiting Taoiseach.
But this time, Michel Martin had to stay away.
Biden and First Lady Jill Biden listen to Irish violinist Patricia Tracy perform at the White House.
Taoiseach Michael Martin was scheduled to speak at the reception via video link, paying tribute to the contribution of Irish Americans to strengthening ties between the two countries.
Biden and the first lady thank their guests after hosting a St. Patrick’s Day event
Instead, he turned to video reception, quoting Irish author James Joyce to reflect on the crisis in Ukraine.
“Violence, hate, history, all that is not the life of men and women. Insult and hatred,” he quoted. “And everyone knows it’s the complete opposite of what real life is.”
“And that is why we have come together to ensure that what Joyce called the perpetuation of national hatred between peoples does not prevail in our time.”
“This ceremony has a long history. And yes, it may never have meant as much to us as this year.
He was followed by Irish violinist Patricia Tracy and Irish dancers Cairde, who became famous thanks to viral Tik Tok videos.
They were both given a standing ovation by about 200 spectators, few of whom were wearing masks.
The White House Fountain on the South Lawn is painted green for St. Patrick’s Day.
All Thursday was a reminder of St. Patrick’s Day. The fountain on the South Lawn was dyed green, the president wore a green shamrock-printed tie, and he often referred to his Irish heritage at events.
The evening reception began with First Lady Jill Biden recounting how Biden used Irish poet W. B. Yeats as they courted.
“To love Joe Biden is to know Ireland,” she said.
“Imagine me on our first dates in flared trousers and a peasant shirt.
I wore my hair to the middle of my waist, like most of the men I dated.
“And then there was this senator—handsome, buttoned up, in a suit, moccasins, casually quoting Yeats.
“It was the last thing I expected, but in the end he won me over.”