WASHINGTON—Vice President JD Vance hosted Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the vice presidential residence on Wednesday morning, kicking off Martin’s visit to the United States capital.
The vice president and second lady Usha Vance greeted Martin and his wife outside the Naval Observatory around 9:00 a.m., after the Vance children had already left for school. Irish music played as the Martins and Vances headed inside, and Vance and Martin each delivered brief remarks as their guests dined on Irish fare.
The Daily Wire spotted Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in attendance, as well as Maine Senator Susan Collins, a Republican. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and his wife attended the breakfast as well.
Good morning from @VP’s residence, where the Taoiseach of Ireland will soon arrive for St. Patrick’s Day breakfast with Vice President Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance. pic.twitter.com/0puXkEGp3X
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) March 12, 2025
“One of the things that we try to do with this breakfast is just remind people of the important bonds of friendship between the United States and Ireland,” explained Vance. “I think it’s a great opportunity to do that.”
Vance also joked about his wife wearing green pants and his own socks with shamrocks on them.
“When we meet, later in the Oval Office, to the Taoiseach, the president is a very big fan of conservative dress. So if he notices these socks, you have to defend me,” the vice president said, as those attending the breakfast laughed. “You have to say this is an important part of cementing the Irish-American relationship.”
On the lawn at the @VP’s residence: a playhouse and swing for the Vance kids! pic.twitter.com/8zIB1UngTY
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) March 12, 2025
For his part, Martin thanked the Vances for hosting the breakfast and emphasized the importance of the relationship between the United States and Ireland.
“We know that building peace is a difficult and painstaking task, and we are ready to play our part to support the work to end conflict and to secure peace in the Ukraine,” Martin said.
After the breakfast, the Irish delegation headed to the White House to meet with President Donald Trump. During a meeting in the Oval Office, Martin praised Trump’s handling of the peace initiatives, calling the war in Ukraine “devastating” and expressing himself “shocked at the prospect of young people losing their lives in that number.”
“Anything we can do to stop the violence is an extremely positive thing,” the Irish Taoiseach said.
Later today, Trump will participate in a “Friends of Ireland Luncheon” at the U.S. Capitol, before he hosts a St. Patrick’s Day Reception at the White House.
