We know about Obama’s and Biden’s Irish connections but there are plenty more – the building itself was designed and built by an Irishman James Hoban. Of the 44 Presidents so far, 22 can claim Irish heritage, but plenty of their colleagues and closest advisors claim Irish ancestry aswell. In this programme, Caitríona meets some of them, like Dublin-born Obama cabinet member Samantha Power, she’s the US Ambassador to the UN but her children have Irish names and she returns to Dublin every summer. Spot a lot of quotes from Irish poets in President Obama’s speeches? That’s down to Cody Keenan, Obama’s chief speechwriter. He is from Chicago but his father’s ancestors hail from Cork and his mother’s from Dublin. White House Communications Director Jennifer Psaki also has Irish heritage on both sides and says descending from immigrants, helps inform immigration policies. Ireland’s Ambassador to the UN Anne Anderson explains just how strong the bond is between Ireland and Irish-American politicians. And of course the connection won’t end, with the change in administration, plenty of those in President Elect Trump’s inner circle are Irish-American too.
Watch Nationwide – The Irish in the White House, Wednesday 18th January, 7.00pm, RTÉ One.