Taoiseach Micheál Martin is to meet US President Donald Trump later this afternoon against a backdrop of the war in Iran.
Mr Martin will hold a bilateral meeting with Mr Trump as well as a number of other engagements.
It has been a whirlwind series of events for the Taoiseach since he arrived in Philadelphia last Friday.
However, everything has been leading up to the main event today – as the Taoiseach meets President Trump at the White House.
Asked in Washington if he felt pressured by President Catherine Connolly’s recent comments that “the normalisation of war can never be accepted”, the Taoiseach said he did not feel pressure at all.
Despite repeated calls from the Opposition, Mr Martin has stopped short of calling US and Israeli attacks on Iran illegal under international law.
However, he said Ireland wants a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Whether he makes that case to President Trump remains to be seen, but he will bring a message of Irish investment in the US, and an enduring relationship between the two nations, as the US approaches its 250th anniversary.
The events begin with a breakfast at US Vice President JD Vance’s residence, followed by the all- important bilateral at the White House.
Then it is on to Capitol Hill for the Friends of Ireland luncheon hosted by US House Speaker Mike Johnston.
Then the delegation will return to the White House for the shamrock ceremony, which takes place with several hundred guests.
The Taoiseach will depart for Brussels early tomorrow morning.
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