A woman walks along with the St.Patrick

A woman walks along with the St.Patrick Day parade in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland March 17, 2010. The traditional feast day of Ireland patron's saint has become one of the world's most recognised national holidays and Irish ministers are jetting around the globe to promote trade, tourism and investment. Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen was due at the White House later in the day to present US President Barack Obama -- who himself has Irish roots -- with the traditional gift of a bowl of shamrock, Ireland's three-leafed national emblem. AFP PHOTO / Peter Muhly (Photo credit should read PETER MUHLY/AFP via Getty Images)