Atlanta, Georgia is the first port of call for the Tanaiste as he goes in search of a pot of gold on American soil.

After hosting an Invest in Ireland business forum for IDA client and target companies, he'll then travel to New Orleans where he'll celebrate St Patrick's Day.

He'll conduct a cultural programme in New Orleans on St. Patrick’s Day where he will meet with a newly-established network of Irish-born professionals and deliver a keynote address to the Hibernian Society.

On Monday Mr. Gilmore will travel to Washington D.C. to meet with US Secretary of State John Kerry to discuss the situation in Northern Ireland, US immigration reform, plans for an EU-US Trade Agreement and international issues including the ongoing crisis in Syria.

The Tánaiste will also join the Taoiseach at the White House on Tuesday for a meeting with President Barack Obama.

The Tanaiste is one of 19 ministers travelling to 21 countries as part of the St. Patrick's Day 'Promote Ireland' programme.