This time last year, Taoiseach Micheál Martin was grasping an American-flag emblazoned short straw, playing second fiddle to Conor McGregor as our disgraced UFC representative took the St Patrick’s Day podium.
That honour, of course, is usually reserved for Ireland’s designated leader.
This time around, Mr Martin has been restored to March 17 parity, and there is no shortage of hot-button items on the agenda.
From the ongoing war in Gaza and the recent outbreak of US- and Israel-led conflict in Iran and the surrounding Middle East to Ireland’s increasingly precarious relationship with America, not to mention the very real possibility of imminent international economic collapse, the Taoiseach has one hell of a job on his hands.
The question, as always when an audience with Donald Trump is on the table, is will he even get a word in?
How should he approach the big day? How will he approach it? Are they two different things?
And, for that matter, should Ireland even be embracing the White House invitation at all?
On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Kevin Doyle is joined by Mary Regan, political editor with the Irish Independent and Sunday Independent, to preview what may prove to be a very difficult day in the Oval Office next week.