President Mary McAleese begins a two-day visit to European Capital of Culture Liverpool this morning.
The president will attend a reception for representatives of the Irish community at St Michael's Irish Centre and later be guest of honour at a civic reception hosted by Cllr Steve Rotheram, Lord Mayor of Liverpool.
During the evening the president will attend a performance of Irish music and dance which marks Ireland's contribution to the 800-year-old city.
Tomorrow President McAleese will address a business breakfast and then visit the Tim Parry and Jonathan Ball Foundation for Peace in Warrington, set up following the 1993 IRA bomb attack in the town.
There she will be greeted by the foundation's founders, Tim's parents Colin and Wendy Parry.
Mrs McAleese will conclude her programme with an address to Liverpool Hope University's Global Youth Congress 'The Big Hope' on the theme 'The road to peace - with a little help from our friends'.
PA