The White House celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with the Irish Prime Minister, ahead of Biden’s trip to Ireland

“It’s a great day at my grandparents’ house, our house, it’s a great day here,” US President Joe Biden told Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar at an event celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at the House. White on Friday.

“Ireland and the United States share a great friendship and very, very long traditions,” added the president, who wore a green tie and a shamrock in his suit pocket, traditional Irish symbols.

Biden is expected to visit Ireland in the coming weeks to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. The White House has not officially announced the trip, but Varadkar said she was looking forward to it.

“I promise you that we will roll out the red carpet and it will be a visit like no other,” Varadkar said.

Support for Ukraine

Biden thanked Varadkar for his support in Ukraine. “It means a lot to speak out against Russian aggression,” he said.

He taoiseach, as the Irish prime minister is officially known, in turn, thanked Biden for his leadership against Moscow. “I never thought we would see a war like this happen in Europe in my lifetime,” Varadkar said, repeating a line often used by Western leaders that his country will support Kiev “for as long as it takes”.

After their meeting, Biden and Varadkar headed to the Capitol for a Friends of Ireland caucus luncheon, hosted by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, before returning to the White House for a Valentine’s Day reception. Patrick at night, where the taoiseach he will present the president with a crystal bowl filled with shamrocks, according to tradition.

In-person St. Patrick’s Day meetings at the White House and lunch with congressional leaders on Capitol Hill have been suspended for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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