Obama promises return trip — provided he is re-elected

Barack Obama promised to return to Ireland following up on last May’s successful trip — provided he wins re-election in November.

The US president was speaking after a bilateral meeting with Taoiseach Enda Kenny at the White House in which the pair discussed the economy and jobs as well as the continuing conflict in Syria and ongoing tensions with Iran.

The Taoiseach endured a hectic round of engagements across the US capital on the last day of his American trip to mark the St Patrick’s Day festivities.