Ms McPhie said research by one major pub chain had found St George's Day was now its busiest single-day celebration, behind St Patrick's Day and Mother's Day.
BBC: NEWS | UK | England | St George's Day grows in strength
2.
Mr Obama also met the Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Enda Kenny at a St Patrick's Day lunch.
BBC: Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness meet Barack Obama
3.
On Wednesday, the Republic's tourism minister, Leo Varadkar, said it was "regrettable" that those involved in the protest would not consider relocating for a few days during the St Patrick's Day celebrations.