WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny will visit the White House next Tuesday.
President Barack Obama and Kenny will meet in the Oval Office that morning before heading to an annual St. Patrick's Day lunch at the Capitol. That evening, the president and first lady Michelle Obama will hold a reception to mark their fifth St. Patrick's Day at the White House.
At the reception, Obama and Kenny will participate in an exchange of shamrocks, a tradition begun under President Harry Truman.
Obama is scheduled to meet separately next Tuesday with Peter Robinson, the leader of Northern Ireland's 6-year-old Catholic-Protestant government, and Robinson's deputy, Martin McGuinness, to discuss progress toward peace and reconciliation in their country.
St. Patrick's Day, March 17, falls on a Sunday this year.
