Tánaiste's trip shows Government has no plans to boycott US over its stance on Gaza

Micheál Martin was officially there to mark 100 years of diplomatic relations, but really it was an exercise in Ireland’s soft power, writes Sean Murray

Tánaiste Micheál Martin with Samantha Power, administrator of USAid, and Irish ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, at a talk in the Irish Ambassador to the US's residence in Washington DC. Picture: USAid

On the face of it, the trip was to mark 100 years of Ireland-United States diplomatic relations.

"I look forward to returning to the United States this week to discuss ways of further strengthening our excellent bilateral relations on the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the United States this year,” said Tánaiste Micheál Martin, in a press release issued to the media prior to travelling for a four-day visit of Washington DC and Chicago.