Bush to host Ahern on St Patrick's Day

Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and US President George Bush will participate in the traditional Shamrock Ceremony on St Patrick’s Day at the White House.

The White House said the ceremony dates back decades and symbolises the close friendship between the United States and Ireland.

After the March 17 ceremony Bush and Ahern will meet in the Oval Office.

Then they will be joined by Britain’s Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Peter Hain and will greet civil society leaders who are striving to build an inclusive and peaceful Northern Ireland.