President Obama departs for the Middle East on Tuesday evening, but before he takes off he'll have a day full of ceremony. In the mid-morning, the president meets with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny in the Oval Office, with a pool spray at the top of the meeting. Later the two leaders will attend a St. Patrick’s Day lunch at the United States Capitol. The President’s remarks at the lunch are private but there will be coverage of the entertainment.

Back at the White House in the early evening, Obama and the First Lady will host a St. Patrick’s Day reception in the East Room where both the president and the Irish Prime Minister will speak.

At 7:45 the president departs the White House for the Middle East – the first international trip of his second term:

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S SCHEDULE:

9:45AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office

10:30AM THE PRESIDENT meets with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny
Oval Office

12:00PM THE PRESIDENT and Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny attend a St. Patrick's Day lunch
United States Capitol

5:45PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY host a St. Patrick's Day reception
East Room

7:45PM THE PRESIDENT departs the White House en route Joint Base Andrews
South Lawn

8:00PM THE PRESIDENT departs Joint Base Andrews en route Tel Aviv, Israel