The Obamas Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

Barack Obama wore a green tie to the annual St. Patrick's Day luncheon, the White House fountains were dyed green, and Michelle Obama donned green suede boots all in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. (Getty Images)

Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day, and the Obamas are no exception. The president and his wife donned their green apparel and dyed the White House fountains green today in celebration of the holiday.

Barack Obama wore a tasteful green tie as he presided over a St. Patrick's Day luncheon Tuesday with Brian Cowen, the taoiseach (pronounced tee-shock) of Ireland. Cowen presented him with an arrangement of shamrocks. Barack, who has some Irish heritage on his mother's side, can trace at least one ancestor to the small Irish town of Moneygall.

For her part, Michelle Obama wore some fashionable green suede boots in recognition of the holiday, and had the fountains on the north and south lawns dyed green.

The first lady's spokeswoman, Katie McCormick Lelyveld, said Michelle was inspired by the dying of the Chicago River every year for St. Patrick's Day. Lelyveld, who is also from Chicago, said it was the first time the White House fountains had been dyed green.

"It's a little piece of home for our new home," Lalyveld said.

Barack's tie

President Barack Obama speaks during the annual St Patrick's Day luncheon. Obama was joined by the Taoiseach of Ireland Brian Cowen at the event. (Getty Images)more pics »Michelle's boots

Michelle Obama talks with members of YouthBuild AmericCorps while touring an energy-efficient home construction project on the National Mall March 17, 2009 in Washington, DC. More than 100 YouthBuild students, graduates and members of Congress celebrated the organization's 30th anniversary by starting the construction of an energy-efficient, affordable home on the mall. (Getty Images)more pics »

Green water at the White House

Green water comes out from the fountain at the North Lawn of the White House March 17, 2009 in Washington, DC. The water has been dyed in the color of green to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. (Getty Images)more pics »