High security is expected to be in place for the one-day visit of the Duke of Edinburgh to Dublin today. He is in Ireland to attend the announcement of an international conference, the Millennium Gold Encounter, to be held in the Republic and Northern Ireland next autumn.
Prince Philip will arrive by helicopter at Aras an Uachtarain at 10 am., where he will be greeted by the President, Mrs McAleese, and Dr Martin McAleese. The President and the duke will have a private meeting.
At 11 a.m. he will attend the media launch in Dublin Castle of the Millennium Gold Encounter, the global event of the International Award Association, the co-ordinating body for more than 60 countries operating similar award programmes.
The encounter will be hosted in the Republic by Gaisce, the President's Award, and in the North by the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme. There will be a 20-day conference next year to explore how the award programme can develop and respond to the changing needs of societies and cultures.
Just after midday Prince Philip will pay a courtesy call on the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, at Government Buildings.