Former taoiseach Charles Haughey celebrates his 80th birthday today.
The former taoiseach Mr. Charles Haughey, at the funeral of his sister Bridie Dore in April 2005
Mr Haughey has been ill with prostate cancer for a number of years and rarely leaves the grounds of his Kinsealy estate except for medical reasons.
A statue was unveiled in Dingle, Co Kerry, to the former Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader several weeks ago.
Mr Haughey was unable to leave his Kinsealy home due to illness but sent a message to the people of Dingle saying he sincerely appreciated the decision of fishermen to erect the statute.
Mr Haughey was first elected Taoiseach in 1979 and retired from active politics in 1992.
The former leader, renowned for his expensive tastes, has appeared before the Moriarty tribunal, which was investigating high-level corruption.
The house and lands of Haughey's Kinsealy estate have been sold to developers, but it will be several years before they are built on.