President Clinton will visit Dundalk as part of his three-day visit to Ireland and Britain next week. While details of the trip have not been finalised, the President is expected to deliver an open-air address in the centre of the Co Louth town.
A visit by Mr Clinton would be a major boost to the town: the new Rank Xerox plant on the outskirts of Dundalk is a symbol of the new prosperity, and the presidential itinerary may include a visit there.
The Minister for Social Affairs Mr Dermot Ahern, a TD for Louth said he was "delighted Dundalk has been chosen. "Nowhere else have the beneficial effects of the peace process been felt as in Dundalk," he said
Mr Clinton is due to arrive in Dublin on Tuesday morning, accompanied by his wife and newly-elected Senator for New York, Ms Hillary Rodham Clinton, their daughter, Chelsea, and Mrs Clinton's mother, Mrs Dorothy Rodham.
A courtesy call on the President, Mrs McAleese, at Aras an Uachtarain will be followed by a meeting with the Taoiseach at Government Buildings.
The Government is said to be keen for the President to spend as long as possible in the Republic and, perhaps for that reason, arrangements for his departure for Belfast are vague.
However, it is expected he will travel to Hillsborough Castle on Tuesday evening to meet the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair. The Clintons will stay at a Belfast city-centre hotel.
On Wednesday morning, December 13th, the President will meet the First and Deputy First Ministers, Mr David Trimble and Mr Seamus Mallon. He will then meet MLAs at a reception in Stormont. He will also hold a series of meetings with delegations from the political parties.
Afternoon arrangements for Wednesday are vague but there is strong speculation that the President will visit the new Odyssey sports, leisure and entertainment complex in Belfast. He may also visit a Belfast public house but, at about 5 p.m., he is expected to depart for London, accompanied by Mr Blair.
He may spend the night at Chequers, the Prime Minister's country home, and there are unconfirmed reports of a visit to the University of Warwick.