Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Linen, cufflinks, and food: The gifts to the White House from Enda Kenny

Even Barron got something.

YESTERDAY WAS A big day for Enda Kenny on his St Patrick’s Day visit to the United States, meeting with Trump in the Oval Office and holding the traditional Shamrock ceremony.

This annual ceremony dates back to 1952, and has taken place in some form every year since.

But aside from this main gift, the Taoiseach also has a few other goodies for the White House.

Here’s what he gave this year:

The Shamrock Bowl

Enda Kenny visits US - Day Five Niall Carson / PA Wire Niall Carson / PA Wire / PA Wire

This year’s bowl was made by Criostal na Rinne, based in the Waterford Gaeltacht An Rinn, and inspired by artwork from the Book of Kells.

The shamrock is said to be destroyed by the Secret Service due to safety fears, as perishable goods given to a US president are viewed with suspicion.

Criostal na Rinne / YouTube

For Trump

As well as the Shamrock Bowl, Kenny gave Trump a set of cufflinks from Dublin-based goldsmith and jeweller Declan Killen.

He was also presented with a Bord Bia hamper containing a range of Irish food, similar to what has been gifted to Obama in recent years. Again, it would be up to the Secret Service as to whether this would be kept or destroyed.

For the First Lady

PastedImage-61921 An example of a Carrickmoss Lace brooch. Carrickmacrosslace.ie Carrickmacrosslace.ie

For Melania Trump, the Taoiseach had Irish linen and a Carrickmacross Lace brooch.

For Barron

Trump’s youngest son received a copy of The Moon Spun Round – an illustrated collection of WB Yeats’ poems and stories for children

For Pence (again)

Enda Kenny visits US - day 4 Niall Carson / PA Wire Niall Carson / PA Wire / PA Wire

Vice President Mike Pence, who already received a framed family tree and the original roll book from the Sligo school where his grandfather was enrolled in 1912, was given another pressie – a framed copy of the census of Ireland 1911, including details of Vice President Pence’s Grandfather Richard Cawley and his Great Grandmother Ellen Cawley.

Trump’s ‘new friend’: What happened at the White House, when Enda came to visit… >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
15 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diaspora'd
    Favourite Diaspora'd
    Report
    Feb 6th 2023, 11:34 PM

    Why is it still called a “Bank Holiday” in Ireland instead of what it is …a “Public Holiday”?

    The term “Bank Holiday” really smacks of bygone British colonialism.

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank_holiday

    91
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fuji Hakayito
    Favourite Fuji Hakayito
    Report
    Feb 7th 2023, 2:40 AM

    @Diaspora’d: and your English language post doesn’t?

    133
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shedonny
    Favourite Shedonny
    Report
    Feb 7th 2023, 8:01 AM

    I still think that the Holiday should have been on 1 May, as it is in many other countries including our EU partners, to pay tribute to the huge contribution of the men and women workers who have financed this country with their taxes for decades.
    Weather would have been better in May too!
    Instead of dedicating it to a religious figure who may or may not have existed.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shaner Mac
    Favourite Shaner Mac
    Report
    Feb 7th 2023, 8:16 AM

    @Shedonny: Er, there is already a May bank holiday…

    165
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rob Jones
    Favourite Rob Jones
    Report
    Feb 7th 2023, 8:30 AM

    @Shedonny: February not bad. Just coming out of depressing January. Something to look forward to. If not February, then July as we have one in May, June, and August.

    75
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sean o'dhubhghaill
    Favourite sean o'dhubhghaill
    Report
    Feb 7th 2023, 6:58 AM

    Clicked on the first option each time. Got 2/10.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gisèle Ní Mhoinséal
    Favourite Gisèle Ní Mhoinséal
    Report
    Feb 7th 2023, 10:37 PM

    The cloth is left out on 31 January – the eve of St Brigid, not 1 February.

    4
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds