President Donald Trump has confirmed he is to visit the Republic later this year.
The US leader was speaking as he welcomed Leo Varadkar to the White House as part of the taoiseach's St Patrick's tour of Washington DC
Speaking in the Oval Office, Mr Trump said: "I am coming at some point during the year.
"I missed it last time and I would've loved to have been there. It's a special place and I have a very warm spot for Doonbeg, I will tell you that, and it's just a great place."
Mr Trump owns a golf course in the County Clare village.
The news comes after Arlene Foster told the BBC she would be inviting the president to the Open golf championship in Portrush this summer.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar met with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the @WhiteHouse where they discussed trade, Northern Ireland, Brexit and Irish immigration. The Taoiseach is in the United States this week to celebrate #saintpatricksday in Washington DC and Chicago. pic.twitter.com/x88aeetuDj
— MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) March 14, 2019
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Mrs Foster is also in Washington DC where she is taking part in events ahead of St Patrick's Day.
She told the BBC that "of course" she would be inviting President Trump to Northern Ireland if she gets the chance to do so.
"It's going to be a huge event and one that I know will put Northern Ireland on the map in terms of golf," she said.
Responding to possible opposition to the visit, Mrs Foster added: "He's democratically elected, like the rest of us."
The Open will take place at the Co Antrim venue from July 18-21.
Mrs Foster also said it is vital that Northern Ireland's unionist voice is heard in the United States, and that during her time in the US capital she will be briefing a range of key influencers and organisations.
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