There is a hectic schedule of events for the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, the Northern Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, and the Northern leaders who all converge on Washington this week.
The Taoiseach and Ms Celia Larkin fly in from Australia tomorrow and will have some rest before the Speaker's Lunch on Capitol Hill, attended by President Clinton, the following day.
The Taoiseach will meet President Clinton again that evening at the American-Ireland Fund Gala Dinner.
St Patrick's Day will begin for the Taoiseach and Mr Cowen with a breakfast at the State Department where they will meet the Secretary of State, Ms Madeleine Albright. About the same time the UUP leader, Mr David Trimble, will hold a press conference at the National Press Club.
The British ambassador, Sir Christopher Meyer, will host a lunch at the embassy for the Northern Ireland visitors and US politicians. The Taoiseach will be attending a separate lunch at the Irish Embassy.
In the afternoon, the Taoiseach and Mr Cowen will be at the White House, where the traditional presentation of a cut-glass bowl of shamrock to President Clinton will take place. This will be followed by a meeting in the Oval Office to discuss the Northern Ireland situation. In the afternoon President Clinton will meet the political leaders of the main parties at the White House. The day will end with the reception at the residence of the Irish ambassador. The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ms Liz O Donnell, was due to arrive from Hong Kong late tonight to the US functions