Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny travelled to London today for the city's St Patrick's festivities.
Mr Kenny, who is being accompanied by Clare TD Joe Carey, visited a number of centres that help and support Irish emigrants in London.
The Fine Gael leader met the Irish exhibitors at the Bord Bia Food Fair in Covent Garden and is attending London Mayor Ken Livingstone's St Patrick's Festival Ball tonight.
He will return to Ireland tomorrow.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern leaves on Sunday for Washington where he will present the traditional bowl of shamrock to President George Bush at the White House.
Many members of the Cabinet have already left for destinations wordwide.
Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, and DUP junior minister Jeffrey Donaldson will also meet Mr Bush at the White House during St Patrick's Day celebrations on Monday. They will also host the Northern Ireland Bureau's St Patrick's Day breakfast at the US Chamber of Commerce in the capital. Guests will include leading US business and political figures ahead of this spring's economic and investment conference in Belfast. Mr Ahern, Mr McGuinness and Mr Donaldson will attend House of Representatives' Speaker Nancy Pelosi's lunch on Capitol Hill, alongside President Bush.