‘The North is open for business’

First Minister Michelle O’Neill has told the UlsterHerald of her pride in her home county of Tyrone during a landmark visit to the White House.

The recently-appointed First and Deputy First Ministers were in Washington to mark the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations and to declare Northern Ireland ‘open for business’.

Speaking at sold-out events including the $1,000-a-plate Ireland Funds Gala, Ms O’Neill appeared on several stages alongside DUP counterpart Emma Little-Pengelly. The Stormont duo enjoyed widespread goodwill from potential investors and prepared for an audience with US President Joe Biden on St Patrick’s Day.

The joint heads of government repeatedly stole the limelight from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar who traditionally spearheads events including the traditional presentation of the shamrock bowl in the White House to the US President.

Speaking to business leaders, US government officials and the Irish diaspora in the US capital, Ms O’Neill capitalised on support for the recently restored government in Belfast.

“A new generation of leaders are at the helm and we’re all about building that better future, that shared future, for everyone,” she said.

“It’s about re-engaging as an Executive, investment opportunities and talking to business leaders about the opportunity we have to offer in our wee small part of the world.

“We’re into week six after we’ve restored our Executive and I think it’s a time of great hope and optimism.”

Ms O’Neill urged potential investors to “help us deliver that hope and opportunity we’re so desperate to try to bring about for all of the people we collectively serve”.

Audience members included former US Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Biden’s Envoy to Northern Ireland, Joe Kennedy III, previously a Boston-based Congressman.

The grand-nephew of President John F Kennedy accompanied the Stormont leaders around multiple Washington receptions.

White House Envoy Kennedy told the UlsterHerald, “This has been a spectacular week to celebrate the connections between the US and the island of Ireland. It’s been energizing and inspiring.”

He paid tribute to his predecessor, Senator George Mitchell, who named his new-born daughter after Omagh bomb survivor Claire Bowes who lost her sight in the 1998 attack.

Of Senator Mitchell’s efforts, Mr Kennedy said, “what he did was nothing short of extraordinary and was a sign of his integrity and decency.”

Michelle O’Neill paid tribute to American intervention saying “successive administrations have been critical partners for peace and helped deliver.”

She added, “It’s always great to say you’re from Tyrone, no matter where you go. It travels very well.”