BLOG: Megan Hughes Blogs From Washington

12:56 p.m. We caught up with Dan Rooney's son Jim outside of the White House gates. He's accompanying his parents on today's trip and says it has been an amazing experience. But the real treat comes later tonight. This evening the family will attend a St. Patrick's Day reception at the White House where we're expecting to hear more from President Obama and his pick for Ambassador to Ireland.

12:46 p.m. Doyle says Steelers fans don't need to worry about Dan Rooney's departure and that the team will be in good hands: Art II. Doyle also let's us in on his conversation with Mr. Rooney and the president. He says the president was remarking about Doyle's loud and rowdy cheering during the White House Super Bowl party. Doyle tells me President Obama was cheering was equally rowdy.

12:27 p.m. The Rooneys are heading to lunch on Capitol Hill with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. President Obama said in his remarks that the lunch will be a chance for lawmakers to compete over who is more Irish. One of those Irish lawmakers, Pittsburgh Congressman Mike Doyle catches up with us on his way out of the White House. He tells me his family hails from the County Mayo in Ireland, as does Mrs. Rooney's and this reporter's. Doyle is beaming at today's news, which he has been hinting at all week.

12:21 p.m. The Rooneys just left the White House. We caught up with them for a one-on-one interview on the way out. Rooney says he is honored at the nomination. Mrs. Rooney says she is not sure about the details of moving to Ireland but they've been traveling there for 40 years so she certainly is no stranger.

11:55 a.m. The President is shaking hands with the room. When he shakes Rooney's hand, he makes some cheeful remarks about the Super Bowl win.

11:51 a.m. The room becomes notably quieter as POTUS discusses the recent violence in Northern Ireland.

11:46 a.m. The Irish prime minister shares kind remarks to POTUS in a bright green tie and shamrock corsage. He speaks about how immigrants have enriched the country and about these economic times. POTUS talks about Irish contributions to American culture. That is sure to be a crowd pleaser with the half dozen cameras from Irish news outlets here.

11:43 a.m. Irish journalists by my side tell me the Ambassador becomes quite famous throughout Ireland. Rooney's name has already been mentioned in the papers.

11:41 a.m. He is making the official announcement. Rooney is sitting in the second row as he is showered in applause. Rooney's wife, in head to toe green,sits by his side.

11:39 a.m. The Irish ambassador and a foreign minister have just entered the Roosevelt room with Second of State Clinton. oney has an aisle seat. Very convenient if he happens to be called to the podium. Mike Doyle is also here sporting a green tie. Rooney is standing now, engaged in a conversation with Sen. Leahy and Rep. Doyle.