Any prospect of a hard Irish border after Brexit could cost the UK a trade deal with the United States, according to Democrats in Washington.

Congressman Richard Neal, the new chair of the committee responsible for trade, has been hosting Ireland's Foreign Minister Simon Coveney on Capitol Hill.

With Democrats now controlling the House in Congress, Irish-Americans say any Brexit deal that undermines peace could have economic consequences for the UK.

Image: Brendan Boyle says his colleagues are prepared to 'preserve the peace' in Ireland

"I think it would be incredibly naive for anyone to think that there would be no impact if there was in any way backsliding from the Good Friday Agreement," said Democratic Congressman Brendan Boyle.

"Just as the United States was pivotal in the 1990s, we're prepared again to make sure that we preserve the peace that has been achieved on the island of Ireland," he added.


Simon Coveney honoured Richard Neal, a prominent Irish-American himself, and the foreign minister told Sky News he believed London knew that the influential congressman had very real concerns.

Tusk's 'special place in hell' for Brexiteers

"He has been very clear, as have many others in Congress, that it is not acceptable that a peace process would potentially be undermined as an unintended consequence of Brexit," he said.

"And they have made known that view I suspect to the British government in a very firm way."

There is no disputing the influence of the Irish in America - an estimated 45 million of them. Nineteen of the 45 US Presidents have claimed Irish ancestry.

It is no secret that some Irish-Americans bankrolled the IRA but it is equally true that there would not have been a peace process without them.

When are the next key Brexit dates in Parliament?

From Capitol Hill to the plethora of Irish pubs in New York, they are talking about Brexit and the border.

Daniel O'Connor, who manages Connolly's bar in Midtown New York, said people were "concerned about the border and about trade agreements."

"Irish-Americans are keeping a very close eye on Brexit," he added.

Customer Marty Appel said: "I just hope that somehow the pieces fall into place where that important free movement between the two Irelands is a reality that doesn't fade."

Daniel James McCabe, a playwright and author sitting further along the bar, takes more interest than most in his ancestral homeland.

"The difficulty and the possibility of a return to a way of life that should never resume would wake a lot of people up," he said.

Hoey: Border 'doesn't have to be a big issue'

Their ancestors built the Brooklyn Bridge and Empire State Building but this generation of Irish-Americans helped build peace back home.

Ensuring Brexit does not pose any threat to it is high on their agenda and they hold considerable sway here.