The President, Mrs McAleese, has embarked on a two-week trip to South America.
Her first port of call is Buenos Aires where she will meet Argentine President, Mr Néstor Kirchner and will visit the burial place of the Irish-born founder of the Argentine navy, Admiral William Brown.
President McAleese will also meet with members of the Irish community and members of the business community.
The President arrives in Santiago, Chile, on Sunday morning and starts her visit by 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.
The President of Chile, President Lagos, will greet President McAleese at the Palacio de la Moneda in Santiago where she will be received with full military honours. She will later be conferred with an honorary degree by the University of Chile also in Santiago and will meet various political leaders.
President McAleese will attend a state dinner hosted by President Lagos on Monday evening and the following day will receive the keys of the City of Santiago. Her visit to Chile will end with a reception hosted in honour of President Lagos.
Brazil is the third country on President McAleese's itinerary in her visit to South America and she starts her three-day official visit as guest of honour at a reception held by the Irish community.
She will meet representatives of the business community and will tour facilities of São Rafael Centre for Integrated Education. She will also receive a Medal of Honour from the University of São Paulo and will later visit an Irish missionary project
The President returns to Ireland on Wednesday the 31st March.
