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Home Page > Blogs > News blogs > Periscope > British take over Obama White House on St.Patrick's week -- Irish celebration pushed back to after St.Patrick's Day

Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

British take over Obama White House on St.Patrick's week -- Irish celebration pushed back to after St.Patrick's Day

Posted on Saturday, February 04, 2012 at 07:20 AM

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British Prime Minister David Cameron and President Barack Obama

Begorrah, the Brits are stealing St.Patrick’s week 2012 at the White House from under us.

President Obama just announced an official visit and a state dinner for British Prime Minister David Cameron and wife Samantha on March 13th and 14th on St.Patrick’s week this year.

This might explain how the annual Irish St Pat’s celebration at the White House got bumped to after St.Patrick’s day, on the 20th of March to be precise, when the green bunting has long been taken down.

We were told originally it was because St.Patrick’s Day was on a Saturday and the Congress would not be in session etc. so the event at the White House was moved to Tuesday with the American Ireland Fund Gala Washington dinner set for Monday the 19th.

We thought it was a little strange, but being the compliant Paddies we are, we accepted the somewhat strange arrangements at face value.
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We all know it is stale beer celebrating St.Patrick’s Day after the fact, but we just went with the flow.

But this freshly arrived press release shows the Brits moved right in on our celebrated week.

"President Obama and the First Lady will welcome Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and his wife, Samantha Cameron, to the White House for an Official Visit with a State Dinner on March 13-14, 2012. The visit will highlight the fundamental importance of the U.S.-UK special relationship and the depth of the friendship between the American people and the people of the United Kingdom, as well as the strong personal bond that has developed between the two leaders and their families.

"It will also be an opportunity to recall the valor and sacrifice of the U.S. and British armed forces and their long tradition of standing shoulder-to-shoulder beside each other in defense of our liberties and shared values.

"The visit will underscore the strength of our economic links, which contribute to millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. The Prime Minister’s visit will reciprocate the gracious hospitality shown to the President and Mrs. Obama by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Mr. and Mrs. Cameron, and the British people during the State Visit that was hosted by Queen Elizabeth II in May 2011.”

A state visit no less and bumping the Irish from the White House St. Patrick’s Week -- score one for Davy Cameron and the boys.

How many British voters are there in American elections again? Oh never mind-- the 40 million Irish Americans know their place-- and it is not at the top table on St.Patrick’s week at the White House when the Brits come calling.

Shure we know our place now indeed.

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joycean | Feb 05, 2012, 09:08 AM EST

allen07, Many Americans hyphenate their description of themselves because most of us are of recent immigrant ancestry, and those self-identifiers are recognized by our government. The latest US Census shows that Irish-Americans make up 12.26% of our population, 37,926,777 people. that makes us the fourth largest ethnic group in this country. Only 19,975,875, 6.46% identify themselves as "American" (no hyphen), usually only people whose ancestors have been here for hundreds of years, while most Irish-Americans are descended from people who arrived here in the 19th Century. In this country, Saint Patrick's Day celebrations date back to the early 19th Century, and are not just a saint's day, but also a celebration of our pride in our heritage.

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joycean | Feb 05, 2012, 08:49 AM EST

allan07, Saint Patrick is also a saint of Irish Protestants, but whether or not you choose to celebrate his day is, of course, your choice. In the United States, we celebrate many holidays of different groups and nationalities. If we had a holiday every week, that would be fine. Not all holidays actually involve days off from work.Today is Superbowl Sunday, and a good many of us will celebrate. Then, we'll celebrate Valenatine's Day, Presidents' Day, and Mardi Gras, before we get to Saint Patrick's Day.

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esatdigiwank | Feb 05, 2012, 08:44 AM EST

Could it be that the British are more dignified when Obama comes calling, don't invite him & his missus to something informal: pubs. Then cajole him into drinking a pint. Whereas Ireland mercilessly stereotyped itself last May when he visited. That, was the media centerpiece of his visit to Ireland! Queen Eliz II was invited to the Guinness brewery also. Ire. has lost almost total respect,, gets plenty of pats on the head in Davos.

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gobdawpaddy | Feb 05, 2012, 06:41 AM EST

Reading some of the comments here and it is scary to realize that these people are permitted to vote. Again, Irish people should feel honored that the president of the United States is taking time out of his schedule to acknowledge a tiny little country on the periphery of europe, with little or no strategic use to the US. No other country in the world receives this attention and respect on or around their national day. People of Irish heritage should feel nothing but pride that the leaders of the greatest country in the world take a day off to celebrate with us.

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allan07 | Feb 05, 2012, 04:54 AM EST

St. Patricks Day is a Day. Its not a week. If every section of the US society had a put a whole week aside for their own so called grouping then the US would be celebrating every week of the year. Irish people are stupid and yes I am from Northern Ireland. (I have never celebrated St. Patrick myself and I am nearly 50). Why celebrate a French man and what has he never done for the Protestant community in Northern Ireland. Zip and Zip. What the citizens of the US do in their own country its up to them. Its their choice. So get over it. Its a Day and not a week. Otherwise the citizens of the usa would have a German week, Cuban week, Chinese week, Mexican week, etc. The Irish are not special so why do they think they are? Lots of Amercians think that you cant be a hyped Amercian. Your amercian or not. No such thing as Irish-Amercian. After all most so called Irish-Amercians have never been to Ireland. Its a joke. If your great grandfather was Chinese does that make you chinese. No. The irish should grow up and behave as adults.

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faberm1 | Feb 05, 2012, 12:49 AM EST

NYCFiredog.....don't talk about "weak kneed" Irish-Americans. It's the Irish who were/are over the moon for Pres. Obama. I was there last summer and people raved on and on about "oh...how we love your president". I told them, "Well, you're welcome to him...come and get him". They seemed puzzled.

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NYCFiredog | Feb 04, 2012, 10:42 PM EST

YOu weak kneed liberal Irish Americans. Obama pisses in our face and you bless yourself and swear it's Holy Water. This is not an intended insult, he's Just an arse surrounded by arses. This isnthe guy who gave the Queen of England an I pod with his favorite music and a boxed set of DVDs as a gift. Arrogance and stupidity on parade. I'm with you Nial.

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eiregirl | Feb 04, 2012, 09:47 PM EST

Oh, good to know Paddy's Day is on a Saturday.

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Claire2 | Feb 04, 2012, 09:12 PM EST

Niall, you need to take a chill pill!! Much ado about nothing!!!

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faberm1 | Feb 04, 2012, 08:19 PM EST

Galway 2001 - you may need to go to an anger management class. Although we Irish had a great contribution to the USA we DID NOT MAKE THE USA! Put your hate aside and realize the American political system does not revolve around St. Patrick's Day.

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Curitiba | Feb 04, 2012, 06:14 PM EST

Looks like DC is going to DC!

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DANNYD1 | Feb 04, 2012, 06:00 PM EST

Obama is not Irish he is a politition that snowed a lot of people to voting him in as Presidednt and has maded a mess of it.

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borefield | Feb 04, 2012, 05:52 PM EST

What happened to my previous comment? The truth really hurts doesn't it Niall.

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galway2001 | Feb 04, 2012, 05:26 PM EST

I HOPE ALL THE IRISH AND IRISH AMERICANS. WILL REMEMBER THIS ON ELECTION DAY., DO NOT VOTE FOR OBOMA,DO NOT VOTE FOR OBOMA,DO NOT VOTE FOR OBOMA.PLEASE ,PLEASE,PLEASE.tHE IRISH SHOULD NEVER FORGET WHAT THE ENGLISH DID TO THEM.THE IRISH MADE THIS COUNTRY

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bradybradyisaid | Feb 04, 2012, 05:15 PM EST

Representatives of the UK will be at our White House on Mar. 13 and 14 of this year. Saint Patricks Day will still be celebrated March 17. I was born an Irish American in 1940. Been a part of many celebrations including Grand Marshal in 1986. First time I ever heard of St. Pat's week. Lighten up and enjoy the Holiday and remember- It's a BIG world with many, many nationalities. Embrace it; don't destroy it with your negative comments.

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