Updated at 12:35 p.m. ET: President Obama will make a statement on Japan from the Rose Garden at 3:30 p.m. ET. Stay tuned. "I'm going to be making a statement later about Japan," Obama said in a photo opportunity with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny.
Obama also announced he will visit Ireland in May.
The U.S. and Irish leaders are heading up to the Capitol for a St. Patrick's Day lunch.
From the pool report:
"There is just an incredible bond between our two countries," POTUS said from the Oval Office. "And that's one that we want to reaffirm here today."
He said he and Eddy had an "excellent conversation" about how Ireland will be"bouncing back" from its severe economic problems.
POTUS thanked Eddy for help with the effort in Afghanistan and for work on issues such as international food security.
"Overall, the state of the relationship of our two countries is extraordinarily strong," POTUS said. "This is a wonderful tradition ... St. Patrick's Day, for me to be able to once again reaffirm the great warmth and affection that have towards the people in Ireland."
Obama said his visit to Ireland in May would include the usual tourist sites but he also would seek the roots of his "great, great, great, great, great grandfather."
Eddy, dressed in dark suit and green tie, returned the kind words. "Ireland is open for business," he said.
