Biden celebrates St. Patrick's Day virtually with Ireland's leader, green fountain
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US President Joe Biden (right) meeting Ireland PM Micheal Martin virtually in the Oval Office on March 17, 2022.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - US President Joe Biden hosted Ireland's leader for a virtual St. Patrick's Day visit on Thursday (March 18) amid the pandemic after Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin tested positive for Covid-19 following his arrival in Washington.
While Mr Martin's illness raised concerns that Mr Biden, 79, may also have been exposed to the coronavirus after the two leaders briefly met on Wednesday, the annual celebration of Irish culture was enthusiastically embraced by the Biden White House.
A fountain on the North Lawn was dyed green, the president sported a green tie printed with shamrocks, and he referenced his Irish heritage frequently.
In a virtual call with Mr Martin, Mr Biden reiterated US support for the Good Friday accord between Britain and Ireland on how Northern Ireland should be governed, and expressed disappointment that he and Mr Martin could not meet in person.
The two also discussed Russia's war in Ukraine and the need for Western unity to support Kyiv.
Later, at the annual "Friends of Ireland" luncheon at the US Capitol, the Reverend Thomas O'Connor's opening prayer name-checked Guinness beer, Jameson's whiskey and the Blarney Stone.
Mr Biden said the luncheon was a good time for Democrats and Republicans to "remind ourselves we actually like each other."
He quoted Irish poet William Butler Yeats: "talent perceives differences, genius unity."
Irish Americans "think they're more Irish than the Irish," he said, adding that was how he was raised. "I was - it was imbued in me to be... proud of my heritage."
At an evening event at the White House with his wife Jill, Mr Biden noted he usually likes to be introduced as Dr Jill Biden’s husband "but today I am Catherine Eugenia Finnegan’s son."
