By Secretary of State Phil McGrane
‘The American Dream’
This past week, I once again had the incredible honor of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at the White House alongside President Trump and Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Michael Martin. Anyone who knows me well, knows I’m proud of my Irish roots. When unique opportunities like this come my way, I often like to say “it’s better to be lucky than smart!” It’s the luck of the Irish and moments like these remind me of just how lucky and blessed I am.
Even after being there last year, it feels just as crazy a second time. Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day… Drinking Guinness… In the White House… With the President… and the Irish Prime Minister… all because of my family, where they came from, and the opportunities that come with the American story. It’s incredible!
Having got a taste of it last year, really inspired me to reflect on my family history and how I got there. Of course, being Secretary of State doesn’t hurt, but it was my Irish heritage that got me invited. (The White House even confirmed it beforehand.)
Last year my son Andrew was doing a school project on his family tree and heritage. This year, I took it a step further and spent most of my flight to D.C. on Ancestry.com digging in on my family tree. I was able to confirm the quintessential Irish-American dream.
On October 24th, 1849, at age 50, my great-great-great-grandmother, Margaret “Peggy” McGrane, arrived in New York, New York, with her nine children, and immigrated to America. This happened after her husband Owen died in Meath, Ireland, during the potato famine. I can only imagine the challenges they faced and opportunities they saw.
And then there I was, generations later, celebrating my Irish roots in the White House, of all places. Enjoying a Guinness with the Prime Minister of Ireland himself.
That’s when it really hits you.
Above: Secretary McGrane welcomed at the White House
This is the American Dream. Not just something you read about, but something you feel in moments like that, when your family’s story and your own experience collide in such an iconic place.
To be in the White House, surrounded by leaders and history, it’s a little unbelievable, a little surreal, and honestly just a lot of fun. It’s one of those experiences that makes you stop, smile, and just appreciate how far things can come and how the things we do today can mean so much to future generations.
I feel incredibly grateful to the President and the Intergovernmental Affairs team at the White House for the invitation. Whether you are Irish or were just Irish for the day, I hope you enjoyed St. Patrick’s Day. May we all continue to be blessed by the American Dream and all that our incredible country has to offer.☘
Phil McGrane
About Phil McGrane
Phil McGrane was elected Idaho’s twenty-eighth Secretary of State and took office on January 2, 2023. McGrane served as elected Clerk of Ada County from 2019-2022. McGrane holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy, a juris doctorate, and a Master of Public Administration. As a fourth-generation Idahoan, Phil has dedicated his career to making elections in the state of Idaho accessible, secure and transparent.
