Taoiseach Micheál Martin spent in excess of €2,700 on gifts presented to US President Donald Trump and other American officials during his St Patrick’s Day visit to Washington, including a framed painting and a special edition copy of Ulysses, according to records released under freedom of information.
The painting was presented to the President alongside the traditional crystal bowl of shamrock, which was specially crafted by the House of Waterford. The bowl alone cost €425 last year, reports Breaking News.
Vice President JD Vance received the special edition of Ulysses, while his wife Usha was given a silver bookmark worth €68, reports Breaking News.
The Vance family also received a Bord Bia hamper and a selection of books for their children.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, who received silver cufflinks valued at €185 from the Taoiseach in 2025, received a considerably more modest gift this year in the form of a scarf and a postage stamp costing €3.95, which was issued by An Post to mark the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence and commemorated the contribution of Irish immigrants to the founding of the United States, reports Breaking News.
First Lady Melania Trump was presented with a book and a Bord Bia hamper, while small tokens of appreciation were also given to Congressmen Mike Kelly and Richard E Neal.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, the chief of protocol, a protocol officer, and both the manager and deputy manager of Blair House also received gifts from the Taoiseach, reports Breaking News.
Theresa Flanagan Murtagh, president of the Friendly Sons and Daughters of St Patrick, was given a green McNutt Lambswool scarf, while the president of the Museum of the American Revolution received a silver bookmark.
The total value of all gifts presented by the Taoiseach during the visit came to approximately €2,700, according to the documents released under the freedom of information process, reports Breaking News.
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