For the first time in more than half a century the three lord mayors on the island of Ireland are meeting tomorrow.
In a highly symbolic move, Belfast Lord Mayor Jim Rodgers and Lord Mayor of Cork Donal Counihan are travelling to Dublin to meet their counterpart Paddy Bourke.
It will be the first time since 1955 that the holders of the three posts have met.
Mr Rodgers said in past decades it would not have been politically advisable for any of the lord mayors to have had such a meeting, but things were different now.
He said: "Because of the Troubles it would not have been the politically correct thing to do, but things have changed now and I said to them that I thought it would be of political benefit to all of us if we got together for the first time since 1955.
"I am looking forward to it. They are doing lots of things we need to know about and visa versa.
"It is important that we have good relationships between the 1st citizens on the island."
The Ulster Unionist from Belfast will be sitting down with his Fianna Fáil counterpart from Cork and Dublin's Labour Party Lord Mayor.
Mr Rodgers said: "Politics will be on the backburner — no one is compromising his position — but it is important that we show that people can live with one another."
Away from the symbolism, the three lord mayors will be discussing important issues that affect all their areas, recycling and waste management and visiting a housing regeneration project in Dublin.
The two-day engagement will also include a joint courtesy call on Irish President Mary McAleese.
While in Dublin Mr Rodgers will also be making a call on the Bulgarian Ambassador to Ireland, Emil Yalnazov, who he said he met recently at Windsor Park during an international football match between Northern Ireland and Bulgaria.
PA