Irish welcome awaits Obama, says Kenny

US PRESIDENT Barack Obama will be told an “Irish welcome” awaits him if he accepts an invitation to visit Ireland when he meets Taoiseach Enda Kenny in the White House today.

Hopes are high that the president will announce his visit at the traditional St Patrick’s Day meeting in the Oval Office, which is followed by the exchange of a bowl of shamrock.

Ahead of the meeting, Mr Kenny said the president had responded “warmly” to initial invites. “I will extend to him a warm welcome to come to Ireland and if he takes that up he can be assured of a real Irish welcome which will no doubt fortify him for the challenges he faces.”