US PRESIDENT BARACK Obama has promised to return to Ireland if re-elected in November as Taoiseach Enda Kenny visited the White House on the final leg of his US tour.

Obama received Kenny in Washington DC today as part of the five-day tour of the US by the Taoiseach to mark the St Patrick’s Day celebrations. Earlier Kenny had breakfast with vice president Joe Biden.

After discussions in the Oval Office, Obama spoke to the media praising Irish efforts to stabilise the banking system and grow the economy. He also siad that last year’s visit to Ireland was too short and pledged to return telling the Taoiseach “we will return”.

The fact the White House visit took place three days after St Patrick’s Day was also noted with Obama joking: “We like to prolong the party around here.”

The pair then visited Capitol Hill where they met congressional leaders including House Speaker John Boehner. Later they will host a special dinner at which a government spokesperson confirmed that the all-important bowl of shamrock will be presented to Obama.

Here’s a few snaps from Kenny’s White House summit with the 44th president of the United States: