Irish premier marking 250 years of US independence during visit to Philadelpia

Ireland’s premier is marking 250 years of United States independence during a visit to Philadelphia.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin’s visit to the Pennsylvanian city comes as part of the annual visit by Ireland’s leader to the US for St Patrick’s Day, which will include a meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House.

This year’s visit has been described by the Taoiseach’s office as very special as the US celebrates 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Mr Martin celebrated Irish athletes, as well as making a brief stop-off at the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art made famous by the Rocky films.

He met athletes studying at Villanova University as part of the Irish Pipeline athletics programme which has shaped 13 Irish Olympians including Sonia O’Sullivan, Eamonn Coghlan and Ronnie Delaney, the last Irish athlete to win gold on the track at the Olympics in 1956.

Earlier, the Taoiseach laid a wreath at the Irish Memorial dedicated to the more than one million Irish who died in the famine, as well as the millions of migrants who made the US their home.

He hailed the sculpture for telling the traumatic stories of those who died during the famine from 1845-52, those who endured traumatic journeys for a new life and contributed towards the building of the United States.

“Delighted to be here in Philadelphia, the birthplace of the Republic,” he told reporters in Philadelphia.

“Today will be a day focused on that contribution of the Irish, beginning here laying a wreath at this beautiful memorial which remembers the one million people who died during the Irish famine, a million more who emigrated and many more who were looked after by American hosts at that time.”

Later, the Taoiseach will attend the 255th Annual Gala of the Friendly Sons and Daughters of Saint Patrick with 400 business and community leaders from Philadelphia.

It was founded in 1771 by Cork man Stephen Moylan, a celebrated general in the American Revolution, George Washington’s aide de camp and the man said to be responsible for the first written record of the phrase The United States of America.

“That, in many ways, illustrates the depth and fundamental nature of the Irish-American relationship, particularly in the context of the declaration of American independence,” Mr Martin said.

On Sunday, Mr Martin will attend the Philadelphia St Patrick’s Day Parade and lay a wreath at the statue of Commodore John Barry.

The visit to Philadelphia comes at the start of the Taoiseach’s annual visit to the United States for St Patrick’s Day.

He is set to travel on to Washington DC for the traditional celebrations for Ireland’s national holiday.

His itinerary includes a bilateral meeting with Mr Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday.

Last year’s meeting saw the US president take questions from reporters for almost an hour.

The Irish Government said the discussions will cover a range of issues, including the “deep ties” between the two countries.

Northern Ireland’s deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said she would be going to Washington to engage with the president, while First Minister Michelle O’Neill and other Sinn Fein politicians are boycotting the White House.