New Delhi, March 18 -- White House hosted its annual St Patrick's Day reception on Tuesday, for which Ireland's Prime Minister Micheal Martin made a trip to the United States.

The 2026 St. Patrick's Day reception offered a vibrant "green carpet" for the Irish-American diplomacy. This annual event is a tradition since the 1950s.

This year, the St. Patrick's Day celebration also served as a kickoff for the "Freedom 250" festivities-the year-long celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.

During the reception, also marking the Irish American Heritage month, the Irish Taoiseach presented US President Donald Trump with ceremonial live shamrocks in a hand-cut Waterford Crystal bowl.

In his speech, Martin noted that the ...