There will be no presidential rendition of Danny Boy, no raucous hooley in the White House. As the Taoiseach predicted in the White House last year, the Irish will no longer "have the run of the place".
But judging by Day One of the festivities in Washington yesterday, the shamrock still holds a central position.
President Bush turned up at the annual Speaker's lunch and took his place at the top table beside Mr Ahern. "Some people say I speak like James Joyce writes," quipped the President. The response of the Taoiseach - renowned for his Joycean turns of phrase - is not recorded.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Dennis Hastert, presented the Taoiseach with a large box containing, he said, a pewter bowl. The Taoiseach did not reveal the contents of his offering, confining himself to the remark: "My box is bigger than yours."
President Bush was momentarily startled, then broke into hearty laughter.
The Taoiseach said afterwards President Bush "has clearly a different style of operating," than President Clinton. "He believes in delegated authority." This may explain why country singer Nanci Griffith was chosen to sing. Her biggest hit, From a Distance, may become President Bush's anthem.
For a flavour of what's happening at home and abroad this St Patrick's Day, visit ireland.com's St Patrick's Festival site at http://www.ireland.com/events/st.patricks/2001/ Over the coming days, the site will feature video footage of parades, news, events, greetings and a gallery of readers' photos.