When Taoiseach Bertie Ahern addressed the Joint Meeting of US Congress, he was following in the footsteps of five previous Taoisigh and Irish Presidents.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern - 30 April 2008 - Watch
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In 1880, Charles Stewart Parnell became the first person who, in Seán T Ó Ceallaigh's words, addressed Congress 'on behalf of Ireland'.
However, Parnell addressed a one-chamber Congressional reception, as did President of Executive Council of Ireland WT Cosgrave in January 1928 and John A Costello, Taoiseach of the second inter-party Government, in 1956.
Five Irish leaders had previously addressed a Joint Meeting of US Congress.
President Seán T Ó Ceallaigh - 18 March 1959
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President Eamon De Valera - 28 May 1964 - Watch
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Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave - 17 March 1976 - Watch
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Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald - 15 March 1984 - Watch
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Taoiseach John Bruton - 11 September 1996 - Watch
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The Week In Politics remembers previous speeches to Congress by Irish leaders - Watch
Speaking in February, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said that he was 'deeply honoured and delighted to accept the invitation from Speaker Nancy Pelosi to address a Joint Meeting of Congress on 30 April.
Mr Ahern welcomed the invitation as 'a singular honour for Ireland and one of great historic significance, reflecting the unique friendship between Ireland and the United States over many centuries and which continues to the present day.'
That 'unique friendship' is strengthened by the number of Irish Americans represented in Congress. Find out about some of the more prominent members here.
