Sri Mata Amritananda Mayi, "the hugging saint", is expected to have given 15,000 hugs in Dublin's National Basketball Arena in Tallaght by 8am today.
The Indian spiritual leader, known as Amma, visited Ireland last year and greeted 15,000 people in Dublin's RDS in her trademark style.
Amma was yesterday preparing to stay awake through the night to meet as many Irish people as possible.
"Amma said she doesn't get tired when she is offering herself. The love she feels for the people keeps her going," said Maura Russell, one of the organisers. "Amma told me she has been touched and moved by the love and the warmth of the greeting she has received in Ireland."
Amma began offering hugs on Sunday morning in the Tallaght arena. She does not charge a fee, but she does accept donations.
One Irish person recently donated €10,000, according to Ms Russell.
Minister of State for Development Co-operation and Human Rights, Conor Lenihan, was last night waiting in the queue to receive a hug.
He said he was impressed by Amma's extensive humanitarian work and, as a TD for Dublin South West, he wanted to be greeted by the spiritual leader along with many of his constituents.
"As the Minister responsible for Irish aid, I wanted to meet the woman who played such a huge role in the tsunami relief effort. I came here to acknowledge the great work she has done."
Amma's organisation has pledged more than €16.6 million to the tsunami appeal.
Mr Lenihan said he was not sure if a hug would spiritually impact on him.
"It's just great to meet someone so involved in such great humanitarian work," he added.
South Dublin County mayor Therese Ridge and Indian ambassador to Ireland Saurabh Kumar also received hugs yesterday.