03/17/2026
Sixteen days into Irish American Heritage Month, the White House has yet to issue the annual presidential proclamation recognizing March as Irish American Heritage Month a tradition honored by presidents of both parties since 1991. It has been standard practice, including President Trump in his first term, to issue the proclamation on the last day of February or the first day of March so that the full month would be a tribute to the contributions and sacrifices of millions of Irish Americans.
The White House has not been silent these past two weeks in issuing recognitions. During the first two weeks of March, the White House has issued recognition for Women's History Month, Holi, the 65th anniversary of the Peace Corps, the birthday of Alexander Graham Bell, and National K-9 Veterans Day, among others. These are worthy recognitions. Irish American Heritage Month, representing more than thirty million Americans, has not been among them.
On March 13, National Irish American Heritage Month Chair Neil Cosgrove wrote to President Trump on behalf of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, respectfully urging him to honor that tradition before more of the month passes. The letter is reprinted below. Needless to say the effectiveness of a heritage month proclamation, while still appreciated, is blunted if issued when the month is half over.
This is not partisanship; we ask only that a 34-year bipartisan tradition be honored and our heritage be recognized in parity with others
Letter:
Mr. President,
I write respectfully as an Irish American and as a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, an organization that for nearly two centuries has encouraged civic participation and preserved the heritage of Irish Americans. For many years, Presidents of the United States, Republican and Democrat alike, have issued proclamations recognizing March as Irish American Heritage Month, acknowledging the contributions of more than thirty million Americans who trace their ancestry to Ireland.
As of today, the morning of March 13, however, no such proclamation has been issued this year. Traditionally, Presidents have announced Irish American Heritage Month at the end of February or on March 1 so that the full month may be observed.
This absence is difficult to understand. During the first days of March, the White House has issued a number of official messages recognizing other observances, including Women’s History Month, Holi, Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the 65th anniversary of the Peace Corps, and several America 250 commemorations, including the anniversary of the Boston Massacre, the birthday of Alexander Graham Bell, and the life of Harriet Tubman. These are all worthy recognitions. Yet Irish American Heritage Month—a long-standing national observance—has thus far gone unmentioned, even as one-third of the month has already passed.
Irish Americans have long taken pride in their commitment to the land of our birth and the heritage of our ancestors. That connection reaches back to the founding of the Republic itself. Three signers of the Declaration of Independence were born in Ireland, four others were the descendants of Irish immigrants, the Secretary of the Continental Congress who authenticated the document was born in Derry, the Declaration itself was printed by an immigrant from Tyrone, and it was first publicly read by the son of an immigrant from Wexford.
For that reason, presidential recognition of Irish American Heritage Month has long carried special meaning for our community. It is a simple but important acknowledgment of the role Irish Americans have played in the life of this nation and continue to play today.
As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of its independence, Americans will increasingly reflect on the people and communities whose labor, sacrifice, and faith helped build this country. Irish Americans are part of that story, and the continued recognition of Irish American Heritage Month affirms that history.
I respectfully urge that this long-standing presidential tradition be honored this year before more of the month elapses.
Neil F. Cosgrove
National Irish American Heritage Month Chair
Ancient Order of Hibernians.
