The Taoiseach Enda Kenny told the US Vice-President Mike Pence that Ireland and the European Union will always be their friends.
Mr Kenny made the comments at a breakfast thrown in his honour by Mr Pence at his home.
It came ahead of his meeting at the Oval Office later with President Donald Trump - who Mr Kenny accidentally referred to as "President Bush" in his speech.
He also revealed details of another gift he had presented to the vice-president this morning.
Mr Kenny presented him with a hurley with his name in Irish on it.
Image via @merrionstreet on Twitter
While on Wednesday, Mr Kenny insisted comments he made about then-President elect Donald Trump in 2016 are not relevant.
At the time, he said Mr Trump's language was "racist and dangerous" - but says there is no need for an apology.
Mr Kenny told reporters: "My comment was in respect of his language...language and words can be used by people in many regards.
"My comment was when he was running as a candidate in respect of the election to be held.
"My meaning was not in any way personal to him."
Pushed on the issue by Newstalk's Chris Donoghue, Mr Kenny said: "I'm not into English classes - I'm telling you that the language that was used on that occasion was, in my view, not language that I would use - but that was not related to his personality".