(14 Mar 2014) Irish eyes were smiling on the White House a few days early this year.
Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny kicked off the St. Patrick's Day holiday at events across Washington Friday, including a meeting with President Barack Obama in the Oval Office.
"I think it's fair to say that there are very few countries around the world where the people-to-people ties are so strong," said Obama, who donned a green tie and sprigs of four-leaf clovers on his lapel.
The two leaders then headed to Capitol Hill for a lunch. Sitting alongside House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, Obama and Kenny were entertained by a two-man Irish band and a bagpiper.
Kenny started his day with a breakfast at the residence of Vice President Joe Biden, who has an Irish background. Biden and Kenney dined on eggs, potatoes and Irish soda bread.
Amid the festivities, Obama and Kenny addressed the political crisis in Ukraine, where voters in the Crimean Peninsula will hold a referendum Sunday on whether to join Russia. Moscow moved military forces into Crimea after Ukraine's pro-Russian leader fled amid popular protests.

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