The Taoiseach heads for Washington today for a series of events marking the 1916 Centenary.

Enda Kenny will join US Vice President Joe Biden, to formally open the “Ireland 100” Festival in the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

The three week arts festival is the centrepiece of the events commemorating the 1916 Rising in the US.

Tomorrow, the Taoiseach will plant an Irish oak tree on Capitol Hill, to mark the centenary.

He will also visit the prestigious Library of Congress to view items from its collections related to the 1916 Rising.

Later on Wednesday, the Taoiseach will attend a reception in the Statuary Hall of the US Capitol Building to celebrate Ireland-US relations in this 100th anniversary of 1916.

Congressional Leaders and Representatives will be in attendance at the various events.