Taoiseach Micheál Martin begins his official visit to the United States today, as part of St Patrick's Day celebrations.
Mr Martin is visiting Pennsylvania this weekend before travelling to Washington DC for the traditional St Patrick's Day celebrations.
The Taoiseach will hold a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday in the White House.
Today, Mr Martin will visit the city of Philadelphia, where he has a series of political, economic and cultural engagements.
He is due to attend events at the Irish Memorial and the Museum of the American Revolution, and to open the new premises of the Irish Diaspora Centre.
The Taoiseach is also expected to deliver a keynote address at Villanova University.
The White House St Patrick's Day reception, including the traditional shamrock gifting ceremony, will take place on the evening of 17 March.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Mr Martin said the trip will highlight trade and investment between the two nations.
He also said there will be opportunities to discuss global matters, including how Ireland and the EU can work with the United States to reach peaceful resolutions to conflicts in the Middle East and in Ukraine.
"St Patrick's Day is an opportunity to recognise Ireland’s global community and the enduring connections that link people of Irish heritage around the world," the Taoiseach said before his departure from Cork.
"The relationship between Ireland and the United States is one of our most enduring, rooted in history and exemplified by the roles so many Irish immigrants played in the pursuit of American independence some 250 years ago.
"I expect there will also be an opportunity to discuss global matters, including how Ireland and the EU can work with the United States to reach peaceful resolutions in the Middle East and Ukraine," Mr Martin added.
