Taoiseach presents a Harry Clarke Mayo image to Pope Francis

TAOISEACH Enda Kenny has said Pope Francis confirmed he will travel to Ireland in August 2018.

It comes after Mr. Kenny held a 23-minute meeting with the pope in the Vatican.

The meeting was requested following the invitation to the pope by the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference to visit Ireland for the World Meeting of Families in two years' time.

During the course of the meeting, An Taoiseach presented a gift of a Harry Clarke printed canvass of the beautiful Nativity Window from St. Patrick’s Church in Kilmaine, to His Holiness.

The framed canvass was inscribed as follows: 'From the Nativity Window by Harry Clarke, St. Patrick's Church, Kilmaine, Co. Mayo. Presented to His Holiness Pope Francis by Enda Kenny, TD, Taoiseach of Ireland, November 28, 2016.'