The crystal shamrock bowl was designed and crafted by Eamonn Terry. Source: Marcin Lewandowski

INSPIRED BY THE Book of Kells, engraved with interwoven Celtic lace cuts, painstakingly crafted.

The crystal bowl that Taoiseach Enda Kenny will present to US president Donald Trump on Thursday is not to be sniffed at.

The bowl was created by master craftsman Eamonn Terry, owner and founder of Criostal na Rinne, who was commissioned by the Taoiseach’s office.

Terry designed and cut the crystal bowl. Its top is scalloped to show the brilliance and shine of the crystal; the main pattern is a series of deep intersecting trinity knots, while polished shamrocks are engraved into panels on the bowl.

The entire design is inspired by artwork from the book of Kells, with interwoven Celtic lace cuts set near the base. An uncut panel is also engraved on the bowl.

Eamonn Terry with the bowl. Source: Marcin Lewandowski via soundofphotography.com

A longstanding tradition between Ireland and the US, Kenny will present the bowl to Trump on Thursday in order to mark the strong ties between Ireland and the US on St Patrick’s Day.

There has been some controversy around the visit, with a number of prominent politicians saying that Kenny should not meet the controversial president.

Junior minister John Halligan labelled Trump a “sexual predator” over the weekend, objecting to Kenny’s meeting.

The tradition stretches back over 50 years to 1963, when then-US president John F Kennedy was presented with a bowl of shamrock.

Kenny is currently touring the east coast of the US ahead of St Patrick’s Day. He attended the Philadelphia parade on and has been meeting with prominent politicians.

Kenny has had to make some changes to his plans as a result of the incoming snowstorm Storm Stella which is set to batter the east coast.

Read: Irish roots: Mike Pence and Paul Ryan to entertain the Taoiseach during shamrock trip

Read: Referendum to be held to give Irish abroad vote in presidential elections