The President, Mrs McAleese, will today end a two-week trip to South America during which she visited Argentina, Chile and Brazil.
Her stop was to Buenos Aires where she met Argentine President, Mr Néstor Kirchner and visited the burial place of the Irish-born founder of the Argentine navy, Admiral William Brown.
President McAleese also met members of the Irish and business community.
The President later visited Santiago on a state visit to Chile, laying a wreath at a monument dedicated to Bernardo O'Higgins, a revolutionary leader of Irish stock who later became commander in chief of the Chilean army.
President McAleese was conferred with an honorary degree by the University of Chile in Santiago and the following day received the keys of the City of Santiago.
Brazil was the third country on President McAleese's itinerary in her visit to South America where she met representatives of the business community and toured facilities of São Rafael Centre for Integrated Education.
She also received a Medal of Honour from the University of São Paulo and visited an Irish missionary project.