The historic joint visit of first minister designate the Rev Ian Paisley and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to the site of the Battle of the Boyne is to take place on May 11th, three days after the formation of the Northern Ireland Executive, it was announced last night.
The battlefield, near Drogheda, marks the spot where the Protestant King William of Orange defeated the army of Catholic King James in 1690.
The visit arises out of discussions between Mr Ahern and Dr Paisley at Farmleigh on April 4th. Dr Paisley will present a musket used during the 1690 battle to the visitor centre on the 500-acre site, which is to be officially opened in the coming months.
Mr Ahern said last night he is "delighted" that Dr Paisley has accepted his invitation. "I look forward to welcoming him and reviewing with him the work that we are planning for this important place in our shared history.
"I believe that this site can become a valuable and welcome expression of the new relationship that we are building on this island, a relationship that is respectful of its past and all its traditions," he said.
At the meeting between the two political leaders in Farmleigh in April, during which they exchanged a historic handshake, Mr Ahern suggested the joint visit to the Battle of the Boyne site.
Last week Ian Paisley jnr visited Collins Barracks museum in Dublin and was shown the overcoat former IRA leader Michael Collins was wearing when he was shot dead in 1922.
The Battle of the Boyne site was purchased by the Irish Government in 1999 for €10 million. A further €15 million is being spent on providing facilities there.