Sean Whelan

US President Donald Trump signs the proclamation in the Oval Office

Trump declares March as Irish-American Heritage Month

US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation declaring March 2025 "Irish-American Heritage Month".

Donald Trump's speech to Congress was the longest in modern US history

What did we learn from Trump's speech to Congress?

Donald Trump heralded a 'golden age of America' - but with Democrats demoralised and Republicans jubilant, Washington's political divisions were rarely more visible.

Analysis and Comment • 06 Mar 25

Anora reaps rewards as Oscars politics kept in check

They said there were no obvious winners this year, no cinematic monsters like 'Oppenheimer' to dominate proceedings. And they were right.

Analysis and Comment • 03 Mar 25

Oscars statues are displayed during preparations for the 97th Annual Academy Awards in Hollywood, California

Hollywood back in business as stars gather for the Oscars

RTÉ's Sean Whelan looks ahead to the 97th edition of the Academy Awards, as a sense of restraint falls over Hollywood during this year's festivities.

US • 02 Mar 25

Honoured on the night were producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, and actors John C. Reilly and Éanna Hardwicke

The Oscar Wildes - the start of Hollywood's big weekend

It's Hollywood's big weekend, with the Oscars taking place on Sunday. On Thursday night, as is now customary, movie stars and producers took to the Green Carpet at the Oscar Wilde Awards, an event honouring the Irish in Hollywood in aid of the US Ireland Alliance and its scholarship fund.

US • 28 Feb 25

US President Donald Trump said he wants Europe to pay more for its defence

Trump's anti-Ukraine antics traumatises European allies

On Monday it will be three years since Russia invaded Ukraine. During that time, only the Russians have made the kind of savage attacks on Volodymyr Zelensky that Donald Trump made during the past week.

Analysis and Comment • 22 Feb 25

EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič said it was very important to establish personal relations with the new US trade team

EU trade commissioner tries to head off US tariff threat

EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič has asked the US to delay the implementation of tariff rises on European exports to allow time for talks to reduce and even eliminate tariffs in key sectors of EU–US trade.

Europe • 20 Feb 25

The US has justified its meeting with Russia as marking the first step towards creating the conditions for a peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine

US-Russia talks: A first step to end the war in Ukraine

Russia and the US have agreed to nominate negotiating teams to explore a peace deal for Ukraine but how much can really be done without Ukrainians at the negotiating table?

Analysis and Comment • 19 Feb 25

US President Donald Trump's peace plan essentially amounts to 'we are going to build a wall through Ukraine, and Europe's going to pay for it'

US Ukraine plan prompts questions on Irish resilience

How much of the Apple tax windfall should we spend on defence? This is a live question for the new Irish government - mostly because of the radical change to the security environment brought about by the Ukraine war.

Analysis and Comment • 16 Feb 25

US cars don't sell in Europe because they are too expensive due to VAT (stock pic)

How worried should Ireland be about Trump's tariff plan?

How worried should Ireland - and the rest of the EU - be about the "fair and reciprocal plan" for tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump?

Analysis and Comment • 14 Feb 25