President McAleese hosted an event for the families of Defence Forces and Garda personnel serving overseas today and sent Christmas greetings to troops in Liberia and Lebanon via live video link.
Almost 250 relatives of troops were at Áras an Uachtaráin this afternoon where they also took part in the video link.
President McAleese
Families of Garda members serving in Cyprus and Bosnia were also represented at the reception.
In her annual Christmas message to the Defence Forces, the President said: "Each generation has added its own story to the proud record of service and ambassadorship for peace which are the hallmarks of Ireland's soldiers.
"We think of the new work undertaken with the UN in Lebanon and the ongoing work in troubled parts of Africa and Europe where your presence brings much needed hope and comfort.'
President McAleese was joined by her husband, Dr Martin McAleese, Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea and Lieutenant General Jim Sreenan, Defence Forces Chief of Staff and Assistant Garda Commissioner Catherine Clancy.
A total of 836 members of the Defence Forces are serving overseas in 19 countries on 21 separate crisis management operations.
Earlier, President McAleese Christmas also visited Temple Street Children's Hospital