US Vice President JD Vance has said he is "very grateful" for the friendship of Taoiseach Micheál Martin and "everything that unites the people of Ireland and the United States of America".
Mr Martin was greeted by Mr Vance at his official residence, Number One Observatory Circle.
Mr Vance said the St Patrick's Day breakfast event is one of his favourite traditions of being vice president.
Vance 'very grateful for everything that unites people of Ireland' with US
''We are thrilled to have you and grateful for your friendship and everything that unites the people of Ireland with the people of the USA,'' Mr Vance told the Taoiseach.
''There are so many common cultural sensibilities and interests which are being celebrated today,'' Mr Vance added.
The US vice president hailed all of the Irish investments being made in the US, with 375,000 American jobs depending on Ireland's investment.
Mr Vance said he understands the cultural friendship between the two countries and described Republican president Ronald Reagan as an example of a ''great Irish American''.
Taoiseach tells how Irish 'exiled children' made their mark in US
The Taoiseach said he was deeply touched by the depth of the welcome last year. He said Ireland is now the fifth largest foreign investor in the US with more than 800 Irish-owned firms established in the US.
Irish companies are pivotal in the global drive to lead the AI revolution, he added.
In attendance at the breakfast event are high-level Republican politicians, including Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick and Donald Trump's nominee for Department of Homeland Security, Senator Markwayne Mullin.
Stripe's Patrick Collison is also present with US Ambassador to Ireland Edward Walsh and Irish Ambassador to the US Geraldine Byrne Nason.
Mr Vance highlighted the importance of the business relationship between the two nations.
"I have this long list of all the investments that Ireland is making in the United States of America, all the things that we're doing in the country of Ireland.
"Of course, about 375,000 American jobs depend on the country of Ireland in one form or another. So just an important, important trading and economic partner," he said.
He also joked he was wearing more subtle Donegal wool socks Irish socks this year compared to last year.
Mr Martin is to meet President Donald Trump later this afternoon against a backdrop of the war in Iran.
The Taoiseach will hold a bilateral meeting with Mr Trump as well as a number of other engagements.
It has been a whirlwind series of events for the Taoiseach since he arrived in Philadelphia last Friday.
However, everything has been leading up to the main event today - as the Taoiseach meets President Trump at the White House.
Asked in Washington if he felt pressured by President Catherine Connolly's recent comments that "the normalisation of war can never be accepted", the Taoiseach said he did not feel pressure at all.
Despite repeated calls from the Opposition, Mr Martin has stopped short of calling US and Israeli attacks on Iran illegal under international law.
However, he said Ireland wants a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Whether he makes that case to President Trump remains to be seen, but he will bring a message of Irish investment in the US, and an enduring relationship between the two nations, as the US approaches its 250th anniversary.
Following the all-important bilateral at the White House, it is on to Capitol Hill for the Friends of Ireland luncheon hosted by US House Speaker Mike Johnston.
Then the delegation will return to the White House for the shamrock ceremony, which takes place with several hundred guests.
The Taoiseach will depart for Brussels early tomorrow morning.
Read more:
Striking a delicate balance key to Taoiseach's White House meeting
Philadelphia visit frames Taoiseach's message to Trump
Irish-US relationship a 'two-way street' - Taoiseach
Additional reporting: PA
