Erin go Bragh! (ap photo)
Beltway gets soooo geeked up for St. Patrick’s Day at the White House. Highlights include the visiting Irish press corps with their jaunty shamrock corsages, the president sporting a green necktie, the wacky to-and-fro over how to pronounce “Taoiseach.” Oh yeah, it gets crazy.
This year, the White House dyed the fountains green — although you can barely see it in this photo. President Obama, whose own Irish ancestry was confirmed in 2007, hosted Irish PM Brian Cowen in the Oval. Then it was off to the Hill in their matching McNeckties for remarks at Speaker Pelosi’s Friends of Ireland luncheon.
“Today is a day we speak with pride of being Irish-American — whether we actually are or not,” Obama said. “I am pleased to say that I can actually get away with it, and I’ve got the Taoiseach here to vouch for me. Prime Minister Cowen was born in County Offaly, and I can trace my ancestry on my mother’s side there as well. I believe it was my great-great-great-great-great grandfather. This is true. He was a boot maker, if I’m not mistaken.
“Someone actually discovered my Irish lineage when I was running for president, and my first thought was why didn’t anyone discover this when I was running for office in Chicago? I would have gotten here sooner. I used to put the apostrophe after the ‘O’ but that did not work.”
Hmm. Well, then it’s back to the White House for tonight’s reception featuring the traditional Shamrock Ceremony — which is more remarks and passing shamrocks around. There will also be some Irish dancing and bagpipes.
In truth, Obama looks pretty beat today and he didn’t seem to be having much fun. Something on your mind, sir?
Wearing o’ the green ties. Is that the hokey-pokey? (ap photo)
Only slighted related but we dig it: Gabriel Byrne named Ireland’s first cultural ambassador.
