The arrival of Britain's Prince Charles this morning on a two-day visit "signifies further normalisation between our two countries", according to the British ambassador Sir Ivor Roberts.
In a statement, the ambassador said he was "delighted that His Royal Highness has decided to continue with plans to pay his second official visit to Ireland". He added that it "underlines the excellent relationship which exists between Ireland and the United Kingdom".
After his arrival at Baldonnel, the prince will travel to Áras an Uachtaráin for lunch with the President, Mrs McAleese. In the afternoon, he visits the Merchant's Quay Drugs Project which provides services on a daily basis to as many as 500 persons affected by drug use, HIV and homelessness.
From there he goes to Government Buildings to meet the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, followed by a visit to the Millennium Wing of the nearby National Gallery.
He will then call to the Abbeyfield Home for the Elderly in Monkstown, Dublin. The prince is patron of the Abbeyfield organisation which provides accommodation and companionship for senior citizens at 1,100 houses worldwide.
Along with the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, the prince will officially open the Angel's Quest Respite Home in Glenageary, which provides care for severely handicapped youngsters. The Minister of State for Children, Ms Mary Hanafin, pop singer Ronan Keating and broadcaster Pat Kenny will also attend.
Later at Glencairn, the British ambassador's residence, the prince will conduct an investiture ceremony, conferring awards on five people including the singer Daniel O'Donnell who receives an honorary MBE. He will have dinner at Glencairn, where the guests will include Tánaiste Ms Harney and former taoiseach Mr John Bruton.
His only official engagement tomorrow morning is a visit to the Glencree Centre for Reconciliation in Co Wicklow.
Republican Sinn Féin is mounting a protest this evening on O'Connell Bridge. "The promotion of British royal visits by the Dublin administration is an attempt to normalise division and occupation. Prince Charles is also the colonel-in-chief of the British army's notorious Parachute Regiment which shot dead 14 unarmed civilians in Derry 30 years ago," said a spokesman for RSF.