Taoiseach pushes for American football spectacular in Croker

The Taoiseach is in negotiations about whether American football could play a role in "the gathering", a major tourism promotion planned for next year.

Enda Kenny will visit Notre Dame stadium in Indiana today as part of his St Patrick's Day trip to the United States.

Day two of his five-day visit will see the Taoiseach take part in the St Patrick's Day parade in Chicago.

Once he has witnessed one of the biggest parades in the world for this St Patrick's Day - which sees the river dyed green - Enda Kenny will leave for South Bend Indiana and Notre Dame.

"Notre Dame is the soul of Irish America," he said, "in terms of it being the home of the Fighting Irish. I'm privileged to go there and talk to their board."

American football will be seen in the Aviva stadium for the first time later this year with as many as 25,000 Americans travelling over for the game.

The Taoiseach said he had been talking to US Ambassador to Ireland and Steelers owner Dan Rooney, and to the GAA, about staging an even bigger spectacular in Croke Park next year.

"I can't say that it will happen, but I certainly would encourage it very strongly," he said.