Micheál Martin and his bowl of shamrock

[Odras]

Any opinions on how this will go? I ALMOST feel sorry for Micheál Martin as much as I dislike him. There is no good way to handle this - if he plays up friendly Irish lad and keeps things complimentary he’ll be rippped apart at home if he talks about Israel/gaza or Ukraine he risks being ripped apart in front of the global media.

There is no good way to handle it. And apparently it was his dream to hand over the bowl of shamrock in what is usually a pleasant celebration of Irish- america relations.

I’d say he is secretly hoping the Pope dies and he has a great excuse not to go

Well the pope will have to die today to save him!

Yes, I imagine he has advisors in some backroom with a voodoo doll of the pope and a hotline to the Vatican gossip mill via anyone placed to hear immediately.

I agree with you.

I'm actually almost feeling sorry for him as well. Didn't he have Covid on st Patrick's day the last time he was due to visit the White House and was apparently devastated. I bet he wishes he had Covid this week

I’d definitely be planning on pulling a sickie

He’s probably sitting around in A and E waiting rooms, breathing deeply. 😀

How much tax money is still offshored in Ireland?

https://www.thejournal.ie/trump-irish-america-6642088-Mar2025/

He should be fine is not as someone is still upset at the locals kicking his hotel off the beach💅

https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2025/0306/1500589-trumps-doonbeg-hotel-reaches-deal-over-temporary-fencing/

Whether you like him or not he has the ability to handle himself well in these situations, I think he will find the right balance somehow. I wouldn't envy him though.

Well, I guess he thinks doing this will help https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2025/03/10/taoiseach-to-meet-jewish-leaders-during-us-visit-in-move-to-repair-irish-israeli-relations/

Personally I am wondering why he is not bothering to meet Jewish leaders and community members in Ireland? Why the USA?

I wouldn't mind an apology about the HMD fiasco.

it just looks he cares more about Trump than what actual Irish Jews think.

The government has met the Jewish community and leaders in Ireland. That’s simply not true.

Maurice Cohen has spoken about having the support of the Garda and having access to politicians while still being very critical pf Ireland’s stance on Palestine.

Could he try saying that no shamrock can be found so he's not going to visit? It's been a shocking winter and nothings growing yet!
(Probably best not to mention global warming!)

I'd definitely be on the phone to the ambassador saying I had a terrible migraine and they'd have to go instead.

They are grown in greenhouses unfortunately

https://m.independent.ie/regionals/kerry/south-kerry-news/from-kerry-with-love-ballinskelligs-shamrock-heading-to-the-white-house-for-st-patricks-day/a366223906.html

His best chance is to have a dodgy curry tonight.

Personally I don't think he should go at all, does anyone care if he hands Trump a bowl of shamrock or not?

I do 🤷‍♀️
because it may keep him from thinking it would be a good idea for the US or the Russians to invade and sort out his planning issues 💅👀

Well yeah I think he should go. It’s always better to be in the conversation! Even if you’ll have zero influence.

annoys the hell out of me that Sinn Fein won’t go. I would worry about their diplomacy skills should they ever get in power.

At least Micheál is an experienced politician, he’s no Macron but he’ll survive it.

We are blessed that Irish Americans voted for Trump and they will be forced to be nice to each other.

He won't mess up, he'll be a bit obsequious, massage the mad orange's ego, be diplomatic, and hand over the super bowl of shamrock. Then get pissed in the Irish Embassy later on. All according to plan and the mad orange will have moved on within five minutes to target Mark Carney.

They should send Higgins. That would be fun. Two rude people.

Yes, I know, really bad idea.

He might have met one or two Jewish leaders, prob only Maurice Cohen afaik.

There has been very little outreach from the government to the Jewish community IN Ireland recently. If you are not Jewish not sure how you know that better than me.

@Odras if Sinn Fein were in power of course they would go. Once in government they will find they have to do all sorts of things they said they would never do.

I’m just saying that is not the case: it is different to say he should have more engagement. That is a completely different thing to sad.

Maybe she would - I was thinking about it and it’s not like she could have gone over and kissed his ass nor could she have picked a fight with him so I think the best thing was not to go. Using the Palestine issue was as good a reason as any I suppose. At least she made a bit of a protest at the Trump Gaza plan.

If things weren’t bad enough, members of the Burke family are on their way to Washington, potentially to heckle him.

m.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/members-of-the-burke-family-on-plane-to-washington-ahead-of-taoiseachs-white-house-visit-with-trump/a438244273.html

Good for them, maybe Micheál Martin can explain why allowing male rapists in womens single sex spaces is a good idea. And Trump can sign a EO banning that too.🍿

Laying on the love a bit too thickly for me here

www.instagram.com/reel/DHGmD7TMeoz/?igsh=dDF6djQzMnI1N3Mz