The new US ambassador hosted the annual Independence Day event at his residence, Deerpark in the Phoenix Park.
United Airlines was amongst the sponsors at the event and members of the Irish travel trade were in attendance.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Walsh shared: Me and my family proudly hail from New Jersey home to more than one million American with Irish roots and as you know more than 10pc of Americans claim Irish heritage. A living testament to the enduring bond between our countries. I am currently exploring my own family Irish story and I know at least two of my great great grandparents were born in County Claire in the early 1820s. I look forward to learning more about my Irish ancestry and their journey to America.
As President Trump’s representative I will work to deepen the bilateral relationship between our countries, a friendship rooted in family ties and strengthened by a modern partnership based on shared values and economic growth.
Ireland is now the sixth largest source of foreign direct investment in the United States. A remarkable fact that has anchored our economic relationship. By promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and a level playing field we can continue to build prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic.
Tánaiste Simon Harris also spoke at the event: Just as Irish people helped shape America’s history, Americans have returned that favour many times over. When Ireland was forging peace in Northern Ireland, America had our back. Success of administrations and congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle stood four square behind us. Senator George Mitchell, whose roots traced back to Ireland, spent years chairing negotiations showing immense fortitude, patience, and integrity. And I believe the role of the U.S. in bringing the Good Friday Agreement to fruition remains one of the finest examples of America’s global leadership. We deeply appreciate it and we will never forget it.
We also have an economic relationship, one of, as you rightly remind us, immense mutual benefit. Over 400,000 people on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean get up every morning and go to work in U.S. companies in Ireland or in Irish companies in the U.S., making both our countries more prosperous.
No one here would be surprised to hear that the U.S. is the largest investor in Ireland. It’s been an invaluable partner for our economic journey across many decades. But what is perhaps less well known is what you’ve reminded us of, Ambassador, that this country is now the sixth biggest investor in the United States. We have 770 Irish companies employing over 200,000 people across all 60 states. And of course we don’t just invest in business and trade and goods and services.
By putting its own reputation on the line and believing in hope instead of history, the United States helped bring peace to our island. The Good Friday Agreement taught the people of the world that peace is always possible, that wounds can be healed, and the differences that once seemed insurmountable can be overcome. Whether at home or in Europe at the United Nations or whether in the company of our dearest friends, Ireland’s message is always the same.
It is in that spirit of enduring friendship that our country has spoken openly and sincerely about the ongoing situation in Gaza. True friendship is not always measured by constant agreement but by the ability to engage honestly and openly. We’ll honour our history by putting our own reputation on the line in search of peace. And when friends speak candidly to one another, it strengthens rather than weakens that bond of friendship.
As I speak tonight, I’m conscious that we’re just days away from the deadline, when the U.S calls, I’m placing higher tariffs and EU goods, and therefore Irish goods will be reached. And let’s use every hour between now and then, to reach a deal, to reach an agreement where we see zero for zero in as many areas as possible, where we get rid of the uncertainty, get rid of the instability, and reset and renew our incredible economic relationship is mutually beneficial to both our countries.
Of course, our political partnership is equally important In an unstable and unpredictable world, we need to protect and treasure all aspects of the relationship between Europe and the US and particularly between Ireland and the US As friends, Ireland and the United States have a long shared deep commitment to democratic values, to human rights, to international cooperation.
But of course, true friendship is not always measured by constant agreement but by the ability to engage honestly and respectfully, even when our perspectives differ. It is in that spirit of enduring friendship that our country has spoken openly and and sincerely about the ongoing situation in Gaza. This country always condemns Hamas as a terrorist organization We’ll always stand up for Israel’s right to live in peace. We call for the immediate release of all hostages.
But we also want the bombs to stop, the killing to stop. And we, as I know you do, want to see a ceasefire, where humanitarian aid can get to the people suffering, horrific injury, starvation, and disease.
Because no matter what country you come from or where you live in the world the cry of a child is the same in any language. It compels us all to provide comfort and protection from harm.
As human beings in positions of power, we can no longer bear the heartbreaking cries of the children of the Middle East.
And I join, I know with everybody here in urging everybody involved in the efforts underway to reach an agreement and a new ceasefire and a hostage release agreement to redouble those efforts and to end the violence for once and for all.
What I believe unites us are many of the values that we’re celebrating today, the values that we mark on the 4th of July, equality, life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, ideas that inspired hope centuries ago and that still resonate with us all today.
Brian Hughes and Aoife Gregg of United at the embassy event
