Patrick's Day trips put Ireland in global spotlight, but Gaza will cast a shadow this year 

The scale of the exodus is a guaranteed point of contention and conversation every single year

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (right) presents US president Joe Biden with a bowl of shamrock at the White House in 2023.

In March, 38 representatives of the State will "bring Ireland’s message" to 86 cities in 48 countries.

The cadre, which includes every minister, 20 junior ministers, the Ceann Comhairle, the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad and the Attorney General, will head to the US, to Australia, to Brazil and China and Japan and Singapore and Cardiff as Ireland grabs the global spotlight for a week.