Newly appointed US Ambassador to Ireland, Edward Walsh, hosted guests at the US Ambassador’s official residence in Ireland, Deerfield, in the Phoenix Park to mark the 4th of July. Ambassador Walsh was sworn in in the Oval Office of the White House on June 19, 2025. As recently as last Tuesday, he presented his credentials to the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, at Áras an Uachtaráin.
The Deerfield Residence in the Phoenix Park was built in 1776, the same year as the United States of America was founded. It makes an ideal setting for celebrations marking 4th of July, 1776, the date the US celebrates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence, which established the United States of America.
A New Ambassador with Ties to County Clare
Ambassador Walsh greeted the crowd. He shared that he was coming to terms with navigating the new home in Ireland. He was joined on stage by his wife and two daughters. His third daughter is back in his native New Jersey with “Irish twins”, two under the age of two, along with two goats (which feature on his social media) and an elderly dog who could not make the journey.
Ambassador Walsh greeted the crowd. He shared, “Thank you for your kind welcome to Ireland. And for the hospitality my family and I have received from the dedicated staff at both the Embassy and here at the Deerfield residence…”
“…Thank you for joining me to celebrate America’s 249th Independence Day, a wonderful opportunity to honour the extraordinary friendship between our two nations.”
“First, allow me to express my deep gratitude to my good friend, President Donald Trump, for entrusting me with this role. I am humbled by his confidence and honoured to represent his administration and the American people in Ireland. I stand before you as a businessman, a family man, and someone who deeply values the ties that bind communities together from the boardroom to the golf course.”
“As the new US Ambassador to Ireland, I look forward to building lasting relationships, communicating openly, and embracing all that brings our people together. I am joined tonight by my family, whose love and support brought me to this moment.”
From County Clare to New Jersey & Back to Irish Shores
Speaking of his family, “We are so thankful to be here. We proudly hail from New Jersey, home to more than one million Americans with Irish roots. And as you know, more than 10% of Americans claim Irish heritage, a living testament to the enduring bond between our countries. I am currently exploring my own family’s Irish story, and I know at least two of my great, great grandparents were born in County Clare 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 of friendship, rooted in family ties and strengthened by a modern partnership based on shared values and economic growth.”
Sixth Largest Source of Foreign Direct Investment in the United States
Ambassador Walsh spoke of how “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. From life sciences to technology, agriculture to tourism, we will build on the strong foundation between our nations.”
Diligence, Fairness & Dignity – “the Bedrock of my Mission Here in Ireland”
“In building my own company from the ground up in New Jersey and through my work in the local community, I have seen firsthand what we can achieve when we commit to three enduring principles: diligence, fairness and dignity. These values will be the Bedrock of my mission here in Ireland.”
Before welcoming Táiniste, Simon Harris, to the podium, he asked the audience to join him in a toast: “To my family for standing by my side, to President Trump for his trust and vision, to Ireland for your warm welcome and vital friendship.”
Céad Míle Fáilte Marks the First 4th of July Celebrations in Ireland for Ambassador Walsh
Táiniste, Simon Harris, opened his address with “a heartfelt, céad míle fáilte”.
He added, “I was delighted to be with you in Áras an Uchtaráin on Tuesday when you presented your credentials to our president, Michael D Higgins. And I’m delighted to be here this evening, with so many others to mark your first national day celebration in Ireland.”
“Each year on the 4th of July, Americans and indeed friends of America right across the world gather to celebrate the birth of a nation, founded on the ideals of liberty, justice and self-determination. Fireworks light up the sky, parades fill the streets, and communities come together in a spirit of unity and patriotism. Behind those festivities lies a deeper story, a story of a shared struggle and an enduring friendship, particularly in Ireland.”
Life, Liberty & Pursuit of Happiness
The Táiniste continued, “The Declaration of Independence asserts that we are created equal. And we’re endowed with certain unalienable rights, and that among these are life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. These stirring words convinced so many Americans to put their lives on the line for the cause of American independence. And, as you rightly remind us, next year you mark 250 years since your Independence.”
“Here in Ireland, it will be an opportunity to acknowledge the many Irish immigrants in the American colonies who took up arms in the Revolutionary War, in pursuit of America’s freedom and dignity. It’ll be an opportunity to recall how, just over a hundred years ago, our fledgling Irish Free State sent its first diplomatic representative, Mr. Timothy Smiddy, to the US, the first country to formally recognise the newly independent Irish state. “
“Our story goes back so much further, before either of our countries were independent, and when our dreams of freedom seemed impossible. Our struggle for independence here in Ireland drew inspiration from yours.”
Irish Ties to the Declaration of Independence
The Táiniste continued, “Of the 56 signatories of the Declaration of Independence, three were born on the island of Ireland. Thomas McKean, Charles Carroll and James Smith. The republican values that underpinned the American Revolution gave hope and strength to generations of Irish people who struggled to bring the same freedom to their homeland. From the united Irishmen who sought to unite Catholics and Protestants in the centre under a shared banner, to the drafters of our 1916 Proclamation that was read on the steps of the GPO, who consciously decided to echo the US Declaration of Independence in 1776. The US was a friend, was an ally. It was a refuge long before we ever realised our dream of a free Irish Republic.”
“In America, our people found a land of opportunity. In Ireland, your people found the echo of your own fight for liberty and for peace. We lent our hands to help build your cities, you lent your voice to our struggle for liberty and for peace. And on occasions like today, we remember the Irish designers of the great Seal of the United States and indeed of the White House itself.”
The US & Ireland are Intertwined in Each Other’s Stories… An Enduring Connection
Táiniste, Simon Harris, spoke at length about Irish history, values and shared pursuit for freedom and peace. He stated, “The United States and Ireland are intertwined in each other’s stories. We have such a rich tapestry of shared history, of cultural exchange, woven with threads of influence, impact and enduring connection. 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. Successive administrations and Congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle stood foursquare behind us…”
One of the Finest Examples of America’s Global Leadership
The Táiniste highlighted that “Senator George Mitchell, whose roots trace back to Ireland, spent years chairing negotiations, showing immense fortitude, patience and integrity, and I believe the role of the US 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.”
Ireland is Now the Sixth Biggest Investor in the US
Táiniste, Simon Harris shared, “We also have an economic relationship, one of mutual benefit. Over 400,000 people on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean get up every morning and go to work in US companies in Ireland or in Irish companies in the US, making both our countries more prosperous. No one here would be surprised to hear that the US is the largest investor in Ireland. It’s been an invaluable partner for our economic journey across many decades.”
“What is perhaps less well known is what you have reminded us, Ambassador, is that this country is now the sixth biggest investor in the United States with 770 Irish companies employing over 200,000 people across all 50 states. We don’t just invest in business and trading goods and services, we exchange ideas, research, talent, and relationships across that Atlantic every hour of every day.”
Reset and Renew Our Incredible Economic Relationship
In relation to the deadline of the US placing higher tariffs and EU Goods, and therefore Irish goods, the Táiniste urged, “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 that is mutually beneficial to both our countries.”
Protect & Treasure All Aspects of the Relationship Between Ireland & the US
The Táiniste emphasised that “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, 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…”
Believing in Hope Instead of History, the US Helped Bring Peace to Our Island
Speaking about the geopolitical climate, he detailed Ireland’s position for peace and highlighted the USA’s past influence, “…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 would seem 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. We’ll honour our history by putting our own reputation on the line, in search of peace.”
“When friends speak candidly to one another, it strengthens rather than weakens that bond of friendship. I believe what 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 the pursuit of happiness. Ideas that inspired folks centuries ago and that still resonate with us all today.”
More than 32 Million People in the United States Claim Irish Heritage
The Táiniste concluded, “By recalling that Irish American ties aren’t just historic. They’re not just economic. They’re deeply personal. More than 32 million people in the United States claim Irish heritage. Almost 10% of your population. It is that shared ancestry that continues to shape the profound friendship and the human connection between our two nations.”
In fact, 34% of Irish travellers surveyed cited family, friends or loved ones as the motivation for travel on overnight intercontinental leisure trips*. Yes, we want to shop, see the sights, experience the culture, though a significant motivation is the bond we have with our families and friends, that connection with one another.
With a reminder of 400 golf courses to sample, a warning about the importance of county allegiances for the all-Ireland and a promise of the hand of friendship across the country, the Táiniste welcomed the ambassador and his family to Ireland and ended with “on this beautiful evening, the eve of Independence Day, we celebrate not only the freedom won in 1776 but also our joint and enduring belief in liberty, in resilience, in hope. We look forward to the next chapter in the story that we continue to write together. Happy 4th of July.”
After flag ceremonies, a flute rendition by Michael Flatley, a performance from Una Healy & the Swing Cats and more plus fireworks lighting up the starry sky, the event wrapped up, having celebrated not just the 4th of July, not just of Independence Day for America, but the connection between two intertwined countries.
*Source: https://www.thebrandusa.com/interactive-market-data, Brand USA Market Intelligence Survey, August 2024 – Motivations for Last Intercontinental Trip, Connect with my family or loved ones, 22%; Visit faraway friends or family, 12%
