The Vice President of the United States Mike Pence has given a speech to American soldiers passing through Shannon Airport today.
Mr Pence greeted military personnel after he disembarked his plane, Air Force Two, which was making a refuelling stop.
Members of the US Army were pictured in uniform at the airport on their way to Iraq.
In a video of the speech posted to his Twitter account, Mr Pence said he was grateful for them to be going overseas.
He said: "I didn't want to miss the opportunity to get off Air Force Two and tell you how grateful we are, each and every one of you and your families that are going to keep the home fires burning during this deployment.
"We're proud of you, grateful for you, and I know if your Commander in Chief was standing here he would say the very same thing."
He concluded: "We want to thank you for your service to the country, go and make us proud and know that you go with our gratitude and the prayers of the American people."
Great seeing US Troops from Texas, Pennsylvania, and New York during our stop in Ireland today! Proud of you and grateful for your service! God Bless Our Troops! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/t33rIXNFco
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) January 25, 2020
Mr Pence was travelling back to the US from Italy after he and Pope Francis met in the Vatican yesterday.
The Vice President, who has family connections in Co Clare, visited Ireland last September where he met Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and President Michael D Higgins.
