Ceremonies to mark the 400th anniversary of the Flight of the Earls are due to be announced today by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
Last year the Government set up a cross-departmental committee to decide how to mark the watershed event in Ireland's history. In September 1607, Hugh O'Neill, 2nd Earl of Tyrone and Rory O'Donnell, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell and 90 of their followers fled to Europe following defeat by the English.
The exodus is recognised as a turning point that led to the demise of the ancient Gaelic aristocracy in Ireland, paving the way for the Plantation of Ulster. A Government spokeswoman said a comprehensive programme of quadcentenary events will be announced in Government Buildings today by the Taoiseach. There are currently exhibitions dedicated to the Flight of the Earls in Cos Donegal and Derry.