David Jackson

USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — President Obama and Ireland counterpart Enda Kenny did the usual St. Patrick's Day celebrating Tuesday — green ties, praise for the Irish people — but also pushed the yearlong issues of immigration, trade and the U.S. budget.

Kenny, making his traditional holiday visit to Washington, again called on lawmakers to pass an immigration overhaul that would address the high number of undocumented Irish migrants in the U.S.

The Irish prime minister — known formally as the country's Taoiseach — also endorsed a long-pending U.S.-Europe trade pact.

For his part, Obama said he was hoping for "the luck of the Irish" when it came to the Republican budget to be unveiled this week, but he fears their plan will short-change the middle class on issues like education, infrastructure and national defense.

"I'll keep my four-leaf clover in my pocket," Obama said.

After their Oval Office meeting, Obama and Kenny headed to Capitol Hill for another Irish-themed tradition, the St. Patrick Day's luncheon with members of Congress.

Later in the day, Obama hosted his own St. Patrick's Day reception at the White House.

After the meeting with Obama, Kenny again praised the president for his executive actions that would defer deportations for millions of migrants but noted that plan is being challenged in court.

The best solution, he said, is for the "political leadership here in Washington" to "actually deal with this particular problem." He added, "it can only be dealt with by having courage and leadership to actually make it happen."

Obama also cited Kenny's "great interest" in the immigration issue, and said "we share the view that one of the great strengths of the United States has always been its willingness to welcome new immigrants to our shores."

At the White House, and during an earlier event at Vice President Biden's official residence, Kenny also brought up the proposed trade deal with Europe known as T-TIP. "We want that to happen," Kenny told Obama. "We want that to happen in the later part of this administration."

Obama and Kenny said they also discussed Russian aggression in Ukraine, troubles in the Middle East, the European economy and national security generally.

The president praised Kenny and Ireland for its recovery from recent economic troubles.

The visitor from Dublin, meanwhile, presented Obama with a book by Irish poet William Butler Yeats.

While St. Patrick's Day is also celebrated in Ireland, the United States has made it something of an unofficial American holiday So the Irish leader routinely accepts the president's invitation to visit the White House for the occasion.

"It is quite unique for a country as small as Ireland to have this reach right to the center of influence here in the White House," Kenny said.

Recognition of St. Patrick's Day also serves U.S. presidents well. There are at least 40 million Irish Americans.

Obama, who can trace his ancestry back to Ireland, called the annual event one of his favorites.

"It allows me to trot out my Irish heritage and brings back incredibly fond memories of my visits to Ireland," Obama said. "And it allows us to reaffirm the incredible friendship and family ties between our two countries."