Obama accepts Kenny’s invite to return to Ireland

US president Barack Obama, has said he intends to return to Ireland for a visit but was unable to give a commitment to travel South when he attends the G8 summit in County Fermanagh in June.

A standing invitation was issued to him, his wife Michelle, and their two daughters during discussions with Taoiseach Enda Kenny at the annual St Patrick’s Day bilateral meeting in the White House.

Speaking as he emerged from the meeting in the Oval Office, Mr Kenny said the president told him it was “his intention to come back to Ireland” but he could not give a fixed date because of his extremely busy schedule.