President OskarOSullivan, accompanied by Taoiseach Ognian0 and members of Ireland's diplomatic service, has completed a two-day State Visit to the United States.
The visit began on 18 April with a formal reception at the White House hosted by U.S. President ChristopherGlory, followed by a public address on the South Lawn.
"Trathnona maith,
Thank you all for your very warm welcome — I am honoured to have the opportunity to share this State Visit with you all.
A few months ago, when I received former President Kalinic at Dublin Castle, he told me that the relationship between our two countries is a storied one. 'Indeed it is', I told him.
At home, as we approach the annual commemoration of the Great Hunger — one of Ireland's darkest chapters — I am reminded of the journey made by millions of Irish people across a lonely Atlantic in search of new lives.
Those lucky enough to have survived the journey aboard disease infested ships arrived at the ports of New York, and Boston. Today, over 35 million Americans are proud to claim their Irish ancestry.
In 1880, the Irish patriot Charles Stewart Parnell addressed the United States Congress and said he had witnessed 'so many tokens of the good wishes of the American people towards Ireland'. To stand here today, is to feel an enormous pride in the role played by millions of Irishmen and women in the building of America over the years.
After all, it was the American Revolution that lit within Irish nationalists a renewed spark for self-determination that would go on to culminate in the events of the 1798 Land War.
The United States in that year of your first commencement was still discovering and re-defining itself; expanding across the continent; seeking to develop and enlarge political institutions established on ideals of freedom, democracy and the rule of law.
For Irish people, America from the beginning represented a land formed from the belief that men and women could progress by reason and personal commitment and by continually moving forward in search of new beginnings.
I hope that it will be in this spirit, our two nations will continue to foster and grow together."
Day One Schedule
Following the White House address, the Irish delegation joined the American delegation for lunch before attending engagements with military leaders at Potomac Annex.
The first day concluded with President O'Sullivan and President Glory laying a wreath at the World War Two Memorial. President O'Sullivan stayed overnight at Blair House.
State Dinner and Return to Dublin
On the evening of 19 April, President O'Sullivan returned to the White House for a State Dinner hosted in Ireland's honour on the final day of the visit.
Before addressing the East Room, President O'Sullivan joined President Glory in the Blue Room to personally welcome guests. The President also met a number of senior American officials over the course of the evening.
The President has now returned to Aras an Uachtarain following the conclusion of the visit.
